Grand Practices: A Piano in Every Living Room

Although each student house at Smith College has its own character, they share one thing in common: a piano in every living room. Some students take the opportunity to continue years of lessons and practices. Others seek out the instrument to teach themselves to play. In the midst of busy lives, the pianos offer students a moment to stop and enjoy their surroundings and share themselves with housemates.

Smith Sciences Lauded for Excellence

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute honored Smith with a Capstone Award for excellence in science education, awarding the college $1 million to further those efforts. More than 187 small colleges and universities submitted proposals for grant funding from HHMI. Smith was among the 47 schools that received grants and one of only 11 that won Capstone Awards.

Jane Lynch's Advice to Smithies in the News

The advice from Smith's 134th commencement speaker Jane Lynch has garnered attention around the world. By Thursday morning, 45,000 viewers had watched Lynch's speech. Washington Post, ABC News and others posted it online. Lynch told her 700,000 fans on Twitter, "I am now a Smithie and I couldn't be more proud."

Employee Summer Reading Program

The Staff Council Diversity Committee recently selected the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "Empire Falls" by Richard Russo, as the first reading in a new program for employees. Staff and faculty are invited to read the fictional work during the summer and, in the fall, participate in a series of facilitated discussions about the topics it raises.

Pioneer Athletic Hall of Fame Announced

The founder of women's basketball. Four different national champions. The leading volleyball team in school history. Chosen from more than 75 nominees, the inaugural class of the Smith College Pioneer Athletic Hall of Fame spans alumnae from 1916 to 1992, representing several different sports and reflecting the rich history of athletics at Smith. The class will be inducted on October 20, 2012.