Showing 21 - 30 of 36 Items

Date: 2019-06-01

Creator: Nicholas Lewis

Access: Open access

Nicholas “Nick” Lewis (Class of 1974) discusses arriving at Bowdoin sight-unseen and adjusting to life at a rural, all-male college. He describes the atmosphere of Hyde Hall during his first year and the “crazed” drug and alcohol usage on campus. He reminisces about his deep involvement in theater, a passion he pursued throughout a yearlong study-away experience. Lewis speaks about the transition towards coeducation, which occurred during his sophomore year, and the resulting changes he felt on campus. He comments on his fraternity, Alpha Rho Upsilon as well as the effects of the Greek system on Bowdoin more broadly. Lewis remembers his class’s year-end festival The Carnival of the New World and the eclectic musical concerts of Professor Elliott Schwartz.

Date: 2018-06-01

Creator: JoAnn Chrisman

Access: Open access

In this interview, JoAnn Chrisman (Class of 1973) discusses her experience as one of the first women to attend Bowdoin College. She explores her decision to transfer from Scripps College in California, the reactions of students to women enrollment, and her time as a social member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Chrisman also describes her favorite activities, on-campus job in the Rare Books Room of the library, and how the skills she gained as a history major aided her in her corporate career.

Date: 2018-06-01

Creator: Abdullah Muhammad

Access: Open access

Abdullah Muhammad (Class of 1973) discusses his decision to attend Bowdoin, his on-campus activism, and his involvement with the John Brown Russwurm African American Center. He describes his role as the creator of the Center’s library, as well as his broader position as the Center’s house manager. Muhammad also recounts a specific instance of protest, which occurred in response to the College’s administration reneging on their promise to ensure that at least 10% of an admitted class was African American. He tells of how his passion for activism inspired his studies in government and English, and finishes with several pieces of advice for current and future Bowdoin students.

Date: 2018-06-01

Creator: David Anderson

Phoebe Girard

Access: Open access

In this interview, David Anderson (Class of 1955) talks about his decision to attend Bowdoin, favorite campus traditions, and how Bowdoin helped him post-graduation. He reminisces about his days as a Psi Upsilon pledge and member, and describes his involvement with The Bowdoin Orient. Anderson emphasizes how Bowdoin and the connections he made during his years as a student opened the doors to opportunities after graduation, including working for Congressmen Lud Ashley of Ohio and Henry Reuss of Wisconsin.

Date: 2018-06-02

Creator: Jon Fuller

Beverly Fuller

Access: Open access

Jon Fuller (Class of 1968) speaks of himself and his great-grandfather, Arthur Taylor Parker, class of 1876. He describes two items that he donated to the Bowdoin Special collections and Archives: Parker’s diploma, bearing then-president Joshua Chamberlain’s signature, and a Class of 1876 ivory-handled cane. He also discusses his own experience transitioning from a small, rural town to Bowdoin, meeting people of different backgrounds, and mentions his involvement with the Psi Upsilon fraternity.

Date: 2019-05-31

Creator: Nancy Prince

Access: Open access

Nancy Prince (Class of 1974) shares her long-held desire to follow in her family’s footsteps and attend Bowdoin. Her goal was realized when she came to Bowdoin as part of an exchange program and then transferred. She reflects on the pressure and difficulties of being one of only a handful of women on campus. She discusses her study of English and Studio Art and the important spaces and places on campus where she pursued these passions. Describing her extracurricular activities, Prince speaks about photography, the Orient, leisure time with her close friends, and editing the yearbook.

Date: 2019-05-31

Creator: David Treadwell

Access: Open access

David Treadwell (Class of 1964) talks about his arrival at Bowdoin and the hectic atmosphere of his first two months. He reminisces about being a member (and eventual President) of the fraternity Zeta Psi. Describing his extracurricular activities, Treadwell mentions Glee Club, interfraternity singing competitions, and playing on the golf team. He also speaks about time spent relaxing with friends playing bridge, participating in sports, and hitchhiking around the region, as well as his summer abroad working and touring in Europe. Treadwell reflects on the academic difficulties of his first year. He finishes by talking about his lifelong involvement with Bowdoin and its community and offers advice to current and future Bowdoin students.

Date: 2019-06-01

Creator: Emma Johnson

Chelsea Shaffer

Hannah Tennent

Access: Open access

Emma Johnson (Class of 2014), Chelsea Shaffer (Class of 2014), and Hannah Tennent (Class of 2014) describe their memories of meeting one another as first year roommates in Coleman Hall. Johnson, Shaffer, and Tennent discuss their on-campus jobs as well as various extracurricular activities, including the Generous Enthusiasts, the Judicial Board, and the Outing Club, respectively. The three reminisce about some of their most impactful courses in departments like Anthropology, Earth and Oceanographic Science, and Visual Arts. They reflect on cultural conversations happening on campus during their tenure and mention hazing, the Social House system, and discussions of diversity. Additionally, the group comments on the life lessons they learned at Bowdoin and what the College means to them as alumni.

Date: 2018-06-01

Creator: Jean Brountas

Access: Open access

Jean “Jeannie” Brountas (Class of 1983) describes growing up in a Greek Orthodox family and the role that played in her transition to Bowdoin. She also discusses how she has applied her Bowdoin education to her career in business. She describes some of her jobs and other activities, including working for Residential Life and the Library and volunteering at a local middle school. She lists some of her favorite professors, including Professors William Watterson and William Whiteside. She recalls a prank by her freshman proctor that led to Brountas becoming more sociable, and tells of her later experience in the Chi Psi fraternity as a nondrinker.

Date: 2018-06-02

Creator: Ken Carpenter

Deborah Jenson

Jim Jenson

Access: Open access

In this oral history, Ken Carpenter (Class of 1958), Deborah Carpenter Jenson (Class of 1983), and Jim Jenson (Class of 1982) reflect on their respective experiences at Bowdoin. Ken speaks of his background as an “orphan” (his father had died and his mother could not afford to raise him) attending Girard College for Boys, his transition to Bowdoin life as a first-generation student, and his involvement with the Delta Sigma fraternity. He also explores how the research skills that he gained at Bowdoin influenced his career as a cataloger, librarian, and author. Ken and his daughter, Deborah, go on to explain that, during his time at Bowdoin, Ken met his future wife, Mary Carpenter, at a boarding house in Brunswick run by Mary’s mother, Elizabeth Wilson. They later explain that Mary Carpenter had also lost her father and that Mary’s subsequent career in academia influenced Deborah’s career path. Deborah also recounts the factors that affected her decision to attend Bowdoin, as well as a hazing story from her early days at Delta Kappa Epsilon. Jim tells of his decision to enroll at the College, his transition from California to Maine, and his experience in the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. The three also discuss their thoughts on Bowdoin’s decision to eliminate fraternities.