Dickinsonian

On October 3, 1919 The Dickinsonian published an article comparing the histories of Dickinson's three literary societies, one of them being the Harman Literary Society, which was created as an all female group in 1896. The organization was open to all interested women, and at the time, was highly praised by the Dean of Women, Mrs. Meredith. 

According to the April 9th, 1976 Dickinsonian, 21 female students would be moving into the fraternity quad in the fall of 1976. The women are independent, having no greek connection. The women hoped to change the college's current "social scene."

In October 31, 1984, the Dickinsonian reported that Dickinson College celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Coeducation with the Metzger Series. The chairwomen of the annual Metzger Series decided to celebrate the anniversary by inviting four alumnae "from various walks of life" to talk about their post-college experience.

This article from the Dickinsonian announces the hiring of the first female athletic trainer at Dickinson, Shelley Wright. According to the author of the article, Dickinson had been looking for a female athletic trainer for quite some time and was pleased that there was such a smooth transition.

The Dickinsonian suggests a "Woman's Page" in order for Dickinson to be truly co-educational, and also since female students excel!

This five stanza poem by W.P.S. demonstrates his sadness when Miss Lillian Sara Marvel, the first female law student at the College, does not return his advances.

"Alas! the world has gone away / Since Lillian entered college, / For she has grown so learned, I / Oft tremble at her wonderous  knowledge. / When'er I dare to woo her now / She frowns that I should so annoy her , / And then proclaims, with lofty brow, / Her mission is to be a lawyer."

 The November 1893 Dickinsonian about Co-education from the Yale Courant. Ridiculing intellectual students who spend their time looking for the facts about love in books, the poet suggests that they now take advantage of co-education, which would provide many more answers to this life-long question of love.

" You have a key now to the situation , / To learn of love just try Co-education."

The January 21, 1914 Dickinsonian marks with sadness the resignation of Lucretia McAnney, who held various positions at the college. For the past eight years, McAnney had been in charge of the Department of Oratory. Before her, "there was no Department of Oratory" but she had "gradually built up her department until at the present time there is too much work...[for] one person." Even the former President, Dr. George Edward Reed, remarked fondly that McAnney was "the only woman I have ever met whom I would be willing to place over men as an instructor in forensic work."

Miss Amy Fisher, class of 1895, was the first "regular lady teacher" associated with "this historic old institution." She had been in charge of the study halls at the Prep School, but in Spring 1896 began to teach regular classes at Dickinson. The rest of this entry in the Dickinsonian lauds the College on its liberal views:

Shannon Sullivan '09, writes a column for the March 2006 Dickinsonian on the perceptions of the Women's Studies Major. Being a Women's Studies Major, Shannon discusses how many people feel the major is "completely unnecessary."  Since this major is still very "new" in terms of most college majors, people often forget how important this major is to understanding our culture.