Demi Gong ’24
Meet the Majors
Describe your major for someone who has never heard of your field before.
History, literature, art, language, philosophy, religion, government, anthropology, economics... Everything you may be interested in; Everything you can think of.
Did you ever have trouble deciding on a major? What, ultimately, helped you decide?
I have always been quite certain about EALC, but for art history, it was just one class, one single spark of interest, that led me to my decision.
Is there a particular phrase or passage that you learned as part of your major that you wish more people knew about?
‘Syncretism.’
If you could give an incoming first-year advice about being at Smith, what would it be?
Take advantage of the open curriculum. Go explore all kinds of disciplines!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
I was extremely busy over the past senior year. Managing through class assignments, research, conferences, and my honor thesis might be my greatest academic accomplishment ever. Doing a one-semester honors project was also a courageous, challenging, and exciting task. I enjoyed every single discussion with Professor Jessica Moyer, and I'm grateful for all EALC faculty members who guided me through my precious four years at Smith—both on Zoom and in person. The EALC department is a big family where all are welcome. It is my place of belonging and my home.
The EALC department is a big family where all are welcome. It is my place of belonging and my home.
What place on campus do you love the most?
The Chase-Hillyer-Seelye route probably best defines my daily routine. I love observing the changes in the tree outside Duckett, across the street from Hillyer, every day. The SCMA is also definitely a place worth visiting; there, you can immerse yourself in arts from around the world and enjoy a sense of meditative tranquility. Last, but not least, I miss the daffodils planted on Seelye Lawn in 2022!
What do you think has been the most “Smithie” thing you’ve done in life so far?
Getting my Mountain Day t-shirts every fall and enjoying the beautiful morning with a cup of apple cider and a donut in hand.
What do you wish older alums knew about the class of 2024?
We were able to overcome the difficulties of Zoom classes our first year at Smith. We made it through that tough time.
