50TH REUNION SURVEY RESULTS

If you had it to do all over again, would you go to Bryn Mawr?

Most of those who responded would definitely choose Bryn Mawr if they had it to do over again. Only

five would not, while nineteen are uncertain.

What was your major?

The most popular majors mentioned were English (11) and Art History (7), with French, History,

Philosophy and Political Science tied for third.

Would you choose the same major? If not, what would you choose now?

About half of the respondents said they would choose the same major again; the other half split between

“no” and “uncertain”. History was by far the most popular major people might choose instead. If we

categorized fields into humanities, social sciences and hard sciences, only very few respondents

indicated that if they had it to do over they’d change to a major in a different category.

If not to Bryn Mawr, where would you go? Why?

This question turned out to be ambiguous. Some people understood it to be asking those who said they

wouldn’t choose again to go to BMC, “Where would you go instead?” Others understood it to be

asking, “Where else might you also have wanted to go?” The responses to the latter interpretation of it

mostly mentioned other small liberal arts colleges, sometimes specifically women’s schools, i.e., those

most like Bryn Mawr.

Of those who gave any reply to this question (29), six specifically mentioned co-education as desirable,

but two said they’d have chosen another women’s school. Six wanted a city environment; two wanted

to avoid cities. Eight wanted a larger school (this was often linked to a co-ed environment), often

mentioning more diversity of course offerings or diversity of the student population as the reason.

The other institutions most often mentioned: Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Radcliffe, Penn, Swarthmore, and

Wellesley.

Did anything about Bryn Mawr disappoint you while you were there? If so, what?

Responses were split about evenly to the question of whether anything in their Bryn Mawr experience

had been a disappointment. Some people expressed disappointments more with themselves or their

preparation than with the College. However, nine responses cited disappointment in faculty and

advisors, e.g. the professors were old and dry, or liked only the brilliant students, or weren’t interested in

advising. Another nine mentioned limitations of the curriculum, several because we had only four

courses per semester and most of those year-long. Lack of diversity in the student body and lack of

social and cultural opportunities were mentioned by several. Some responses indicated a consciousness

of academic weakness and anxiety, or resentment at having to study too much, but others mentioned

disappointment that the courses and intellectual environment weren’t challenging enough, so it would

seem that these could be seen as individual problems, not a general criticism of the institution. Only a

few responses mentioned a paucity of male-female contact.

How do you see it in retrospect?

Here again the question was ambiguous: nine responses were to the implied question “How do you feel

in retrospect about whatever it was that disappointed you back then?”, and most of these indicated

continuing feelings of disappointment. Thirty-one assumed the question was about their perception now

of the whole BMC experience, and these were almost uniformly positive.

Did you have an intellectual or personal epiphany as an undergraduate (i.e., a sudden insight or

discovery about your field of study, yourself, life, or the universe) that made a lasting difference? What

was it? Did it stay with you?

More than half the respondents (42) said they had experienced an epiphany during their time at Bryn

Mawr, and of those about half reported that it is still with them. Most of the responses fell into four

categories: well over half (28) referred to increased confidence in themselves and a recognition of new

learning opportunities or new predilections; five mentioned religious or philosophical insights; seven

mentioned recognizing their interest in a specific field or decision to change the major; two came to

understand mistakes in personal relationships.

Did you continue your formal education after graduating from Bryn Mawr? In the field of your major?

What degrees did you earn, in what subjects?

Almost everyone who responded continued her education after college, about half in the major field and

half in other fields.

Masters Degrees: English 8, Education/Teaching 7, Social Work 6, Library Science 2, Psychology 4,

History of Art 2, Classics 1, International Development 1, History 1, Romance Languages 3, Liberal

Studies 1, Music 1, Sociology 1, American Studies 1, Anthropology 1, Public Health 1, Business 1,

Philosophy 1. (Some respondents got two Masters degrees in different fields; we didn’t count the MAs

that were clearly earned on the way to a subsequent PhD in the same field.)

Doctorates: Psychology l2, Education 11, Law l3, Modern Languages and Linguistics 3, History 1,

Medicine 2, Library/Information Science 1, Sociology 2, English 1, Art History 1, Geology 1,

Comparative Literature 1.

Certificates/Diplomas: Psychiatric Social Work 1, Psychotherapy 1, Architectural Drafting 1, art

conservation.

Did you ever work in a field related to your undergraduate major?

Well over half have worked in a field related to their undergraduate major. Put differently, nearly half

have not worked in a field related to the major! (Which is the more surprising?)

Have you supported Bryn Mawr in the last 10 years? If so, how? As a donor, a volunteer, otherwise?

Most (but not all) have supported the College, most commonly as a donor, and about half the supporters

have volunteered in some capacity as well.

What do you consider to be the three most important historical events since 1960?

Most named: the rise of Islamic terrorism (30), the Obama election (26), the collapse of the USSR and

end of the Cold War (21), with the civil rights/voting rights movement and the assassinations of JFK,

RFK, and MLK coming in fourth at 18 and 17 respectively.

Are you married? If so, for how long to your current spouse? Single? Divorced? Widowed? Not

married but living with a partner? For how long?

Most respondents reported being married, among them thirty-two for 46-50 years (who said marriages

right after college wouldn’t last?), nineteen for 30-45 years, four for 15-30 years, and eight for less than

15 years. Five reported having been married to a previous spouse for 11-32 years. Sixteen are divorced,

ten widowed, two single and one separated. Three reported being unmarried and living with a partner

for 8-23 years.

How many children do you have? Step-children? Grandchildren? Great-grandchildren?

Thirty people reported having two children, sixteen people have three, eleven have one, five have four

and one has seven, for an average of 2.3. Despite having fallen short of President McBride’s prediction

that we would have an average of 3.6 children, we have been prolific: twenty respondents reported

having six or more grandchildren, and one already has two great-grandchildren! Step-children have also

been numerous: sixteen of us have from two to more than six step-children, eleven people have from

one to more than six step-grandchildren, and three have four to six step-great-grandchildren.

Are you retired? From what?

For many of us retirement is not a yes-no question: the question was not phrased to elicit maximum

detail, but it’s clear that many of us, especially in the academic world, have “retired”, but continue

teaching on a part-time basis or consulting in the same field. Others retired from one career and

promptly took up another, which paid something (i.e., they also indicated that they are still gainfully

employed).

Nearly half the respondents (31) have are retired from the academic world, i.e., teaching, research,

academic administration. Two have retired from the law, two from politics, six from business or

industry, and eight from social work or psychology.

Still gainfully employed? Doing what?

Another sixteen of us are still active in the academic world – teaching, writing, research,

and administration, and two are active in editing. Another two are still active in social services, six in

psychology or mental health work; three work with the arts, three in business, one has a career in birdguiding,

and one is the director of a small non-profit company. So a clear majority of us are now retired,

some semi-retired, and twenty-nine still gainfully employed, at least part-time.

Doing volunteer work? What kind?

Volunteer work occupies a large number of us (61 respondents), in several cases with more than one

commitment: social or community service was mentioned seventeen times, teaching/tutoring ten,

environmental work and sitting on councils/boards each nine, church/synagogue work and art/historical

work each six, political activity four, library work two, writing or editing two, business two.

Do you live in a retirement community? Do you plan to later on?

Seven respondents are already comfortably settled in retirement communities, and seven more plan to

move to one at some point in the future. Thirty-one say they will definitely not do so, and twenty-two

are uncertain.

If not, what are your plans for your old age?

We need to get more detailed answers from the four respondents who state that they intend to avoid old

age! Two others at least specified how: they plan to die quickly, gracefully, and painlessly. Over half

(36) have the firm intention of continuing to live as they do now for as long as possible – some

mentioning home-help when needed – without specifying what they intend when that is no longer

possible. Only five mentioned living near or with family; others look forward to moving to a

hometown, to a convent, to Paris, to Cambridge or Berkeley, or to a second home in the country.

Do you speak or read a language other than English well enough to enjoy doing so? If so, which

language?

Forty-five of us answered positively, with French the overwhelmingly favorite (30); at the other

extreme, with one person each speaking or reading Dutch, Greek, Latvian or Norwegian. Several people

mentioned two or more languages. However, several respondents mentioned careers in classics or in

modern languages other than French, without listing those languages here; we assume they’re just being

modest.

What kind of vacations do you enjoy?

We are explorers! Sixty-three of us enjoy vacations involving travel, adventure and, exploring new

places. Sixteen people prefer doing things with family and friends and eight like active sports and

outdoor activities. Six enjoy staying home and six spending time at a vacation home, beach or seashore.

Four classmates prefer learning and two like working vacations.

What are your favorite leisure activities?

We are readers! Forty-seven of us prefer reading in our free time. Thirty-six mentioned sports

including walking, hiking, biking, tennis and yoga, and twenty-three mentioned gardening. Twenty

listed cultural activities including theater, museums, galleries, and lectures, while nineteen prefer

listening to music, singing, or playing an instrument. Sixteen people mentioned spending time with

family/friends and thirteen mentioned travel and exploring. Eleven listed knitting, sewing, needlework,

or weaving, while ten prefer cooking and/or eating and ten prefer drawing, painting, photography or

pottery.

Six mentioned watching films, five writing, and four bird-watching. Other favorites included watching

TV, construction, home improvements and repairs, games and puzzles, studying languages, and taking

care of animals.

What is the best book you have read recently?

There is no clear favorite among the books read recently. Of the fifty-nine mentioned, only four

received more than one vote: Three Cups of Tea, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, The Girl Who Played

With Fire, and Desert Queen.

The best movie you have seen recently?

“Julie and Julia” was the clear winner among the best films seen recently with nineteen votes, and

“Slumdog Millionaire” and “Seraphine” each receiving two.

Do you watch television regularly?

Almost half the questionnaire respondents watch TV regularly, about 25% watch occasionally, less than

25% watch seldom, and six people never.

What is your favorite TV show?

The most popular shows are those on PBS, with the Lehrer News Hour receiving ten votes, Masterpiece

Theater eight, Bill Moyers’ Journal five, Washington Week in Review and other news specials and

documentaries three each. Other popular categories are network news with twelve votes, nature/science

and political talk/commentary with nine each, comedy with eight, mystery/detective with seven, and

history, sports and real estate with three each.

What is the most exciting, fun or challenging thing you are doing now or have done recently?

Still traveling! Nine people mentioned travels to new and interesting places, including Australia, New

Zealand, Tanzania, China, Tibet, Scandinavia, Greece, Egypt, Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and

a Hutterite colony in Winnipeg, while five more specified such physically demanding trips as biking

along the Danube, hunting in France, and hiking in Bhutan, the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park,

and two listed spiritual journeys (retreats and a symposium). Five listed other outdoor activities

including lobster fishing and dragging for scallops in Maine, snorkeling, gardening, horse showing, bird

lore.

Six people enjoy the challenge of maintaining constructive relationships with family, friends and

colleagues, including spending time with grandchildren and organizing a son’s engagement party. For

five it is various forms of community involvement: serving on a Mental Health Commission from a

background of experience as a psychiatric patient, working as a prison volunteer, serving as Recycle

Chair for National Garden Clubs, involvement with an urban renewal project, Town Hall meetings, or

garden club programs on invasive plants. Four classmates mentioned helping the elderly and

handicapped. Three classmates continue to find their current work exciting, fun and challenging, while

seven find challenge in adjusting to life-changing situations such as retirement, death of a spouse, move

to a new community or even getting married!

Nine of us find excitement in the written page, doing research and academic writing, writing for

publication or editing works of interest. Six have enjoyed creative art projects such as acting, painting,

photography, making and weaving designs, designing a conference poster, and creating historic markers

using images from the local historical society, while four enjoy community cultural life. Nine have

taken up new challenges such as running a business, leading discussion groups, playing the piano, ballet,

yoga, becoming a guide at a National Wildlife Refuge, trying to increase environmental awareness and

action, herbal medicine, trying to improve swimming skill and “reading all the books in my extensive

library”, while three are continuing their formal education in various ways.

Do you smoke? If not, and you once did, when did you quit?

Only one of the respondents still smokes regularly and one occasionally. Most of those who once

smoked quit during the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

Have your drinking habits changed? If so, how?

Thirty-two people reported that their drinking habits had changed and thirty-three said they had not.

Twelve are drinking less, six more. Ten drink mostly wine now, and one has switched from wine to gin.

Three now have just one drink a day, and there are twelve who drink hardly ever or not at all, including

two recovering alcoholics.

Have you gained or lost weight in the last ten years? Which? How much?

Forty-two people reported that their weight has changed, of which over half have gained, some have

lost, and some have done first one and then the other. The reported weight changes (both gains and

losses) ranged from three to forty pounds, with most between fifteen and twenty pounds, and the average

change sixteen pounds.

Do you consider yourself a spiritual person?

About half of the respondents consider themselves spiritual and half do not.

A feminist?

Fifty-seven consider themselves feminists; eighteen do not.

Are arts and cultural events a big part of your life?

Five-sixths report that culture is an important part of their lives; one-sixth say it is not.

Have you discovered a new talent or interest in the past ten years that has become an important part of

your life?

Nearly half of the respondents reported having discovered a new talent or interest in the last ten years,

and some of these were clearly the basis for volunteer work and/or were mentioned as favorite leisure

activities. Some mentioned several, and some wrote of talents or interests rediscovered after many

years, such as playing the piano or knitting. "Grandchildren" were mentioned seven times as the most

absorbing new interest, and writing [for publication] was cited by five. A new commitment to the arts –

performing or appreciating – appeared seven times; painting, music, photography, acting, singing, and

playing musical instruments were all mentioned, and needlework was mentioned by two more. On the

physical (mostly outdoors) side, active sports and exercising for fitness were mentioned (six) along with

birding, geocaching, and taiji. Gardening and landscape work absorb two respondents. Teaching and

working with parenting groups appeared twice, and studying six times – history, politics, Islam,

Chinese, economics, Internet communication and research. One respondent each cited meditation and

the interface of science and religion. A commitment to social work has become an important part of life

for six of us – philanthropy, working for newcomers in the community or for the poor (in law and

medicine), and learning to use organizational skills. One person wrote of coming out as a lesbian.

With what political party are you affiliated? Have you changed your affiliation in the last five years?

Within your party are you liberal? Middle-of-the-road? Conservative?

We found sixty-one Democrats among the respondents, five unaffiliated, four Independents, three

Republicans, two English Liberals, and one Labor. Only seven said they had changed their party

affiliation in the last five years (with the changes going both ways); a majority (47) identified

themselves as liberal within their party, twenty-three as “middle of the road”, and four as conservative.

In general, what is your position on the following? (for, neutral, against)

U.S. policy on Iraq/Iran/Afghanistan?

Seven voted in favor, thirty-two against, and ten said they are neutral/undecided. Many people found

this question difficult to answer because they were confused about what the current policy is, because

the situation in each of the three countries is different, or because our policies are constantly evolving.

Several people thought the current policies are better than the previous policies but still leave much to be

desired. Several respondents would probably agree with one person’s summary: “Get out of Iraq;

contain Iran; improve life in Afghanistan.” Another person said “We should leave them alone and

strengthen our security in practical ways (protect water supplies and power plants, for instance) and by

becoming a good example for people elsewhere”.

U.S. environmental policy?

Eleven voted in favor, six against, and six said they are neutral/undecided. Whether people were for,

against or neutral, there was a strong feeling that we should be doing much more to conserve natural

resources, develop alternative energy sources, and reduce pollution. There was some uncertainty as to

what our policy is, considerable agreement that we need tougher laws and more effective enforcement,

and a sense that things may be beginning to improve. Some felt that there is too much big business

influence and some that what is needed is more scientific information and rational discussion.

U.S. immigration policy?

Three voted in favor, seventeen against, and four said they are neutral/undecided. Again there was

considerable confusion as to what our policy is as well as a strong feeling that it needs a complete

overhaul. There were suggestions that we need to develop a rational, just and humane policy and

improve the process of legalization and the path to citizenship. A number of people expressed the view

that, although we need to set limits, fences along borders are not the answer, and we should be as

welcoming as possible. One person commented, “immigrants should receive education, medical care

and food as my grandmother did when she came in 1906.”

Laws allowing civil unions?

Almost all respondents (seventy-two) are in favor, with only two against and two neutral/undecided.

Those who voted “no” did so because they felt laws allowing civil unions don’t go far enough, a

sentiment with which several “yes” votes agreed. One person favored civil unions for everyone.

Another felt the issue should be left up to the states.

Allowing same-sex marriages?

Fifty-two voted in favor, two against, and eight said they are neutral/undecided. Those voting “no” felt

that civil unions are adequate. One felt uneasy about the psychiatric impact of gay couples

having/adopting children. One person thought the question should be left up to the states, while two

thought it should be left to religions institutions. One commented, “anything that contributes to stable

relationships is fine.”

Among those domestic and international issues listed, select two that you consider the most pressing in

each category.

Among the domestic issues considered the most important, health was the clear winner with fifty votes,

followed by education with thirty, energy/environment with twenty-five, and the economy with twenty.

As for international issues, energy/environment came in first with forty-eight votes, Middle East next

with forty-four, and overpopulation and disease/malnutrition third with seventeen and fifteen

respectively.

What is your major source of news?

The major source of news for those classmates who responded are the New York Times with thirty

readers, about an equal number relying on other newspapers, National Public Radio with twenty-one

followers, the Lehrer News Hour with nineteen, CNN with seven, and other TV news sources totaling

eighteen. Eighteen people get their news from periodicals, ten from the Internet and four read

newspapers on line.

What concerns do you have about the world in which your great-grandchildren will grow up?

Forty-seven of us expressed concern over the consequences of climate change and environmental

degradation. Twenty-one mentioned problems associated with overpopulation, competition for scarce

resources, and growing gap between haves and have-nots, as more people become poor, angry and

violent. Sixteen worry about international instability, war, terrorism, genocide, individual acts of

violence and proliferation of weapons. Eleven are concerned about polarization of society due to

ignorance, intolerance, and the spread of rigid ideologies. Nine are concerned about the decline of

democracy, loss of civil liberties, lack of personal initiative, and control of government by powerful

interests.

Six people mentioned unemployment and the state of our economy, and five mentioned health and

disease. Four of us are worried that science and technology are developing faster than our ability to use

them wisely, without the humanizing influence of spirituality and the arts. Three are concerned about

the decline of the USA as a world power and the ascendancy of China, three about consumerism and the

decline of non-monetary values, and three about the quality and cost of education. Other issues

mentioned were the lack of respect for intelligence; the decline of the printed page; the absence of

fundamental decency, ethical behavior, and moral standards; the decline of respect for government and

lack of civil discourse; the safety of the food supply, and natural disasters.

Three of our classmates expressed the hope “that the world will be a safe place where they can pursue

their dreams as we have”.

Would you like your granddaughters or great-granddaughters to attend Bryn Mawr?

Forty said yes, eight no.

What changes, if any would you like to see at Bryn Mawr in the next ten years?

Twenty-seven people felt they didn’t know enough about the College to have an opinion on this

question. Ten said they wanted no changes at all. Of those who expressed views on Bryn Mawr going

co-ed, four were in favor and one opposed.

One person thought the curriculum should be tightened rather than expanded, while four suggested

adding such courses as linguistics, Arabic, Chinese, women in philanthropy, and a greater emphasis on

Islam and the Middle East, as well as expanding to create inner-city satellites of the College for parttime

students. Two people asked for a greater commitment to health and wellness. Two urged

maintaining the emphasis on science and technology in physical plant as well as curriculum. Three

classmates felt the construction of new buildings “is not the most effective way to increase quality of

instruction or attract exceptional students” and urged a “return to forefront of actual and perceived

academic excellence”. While one person would like to see the College encourage a greater variety of

political points of view, and one wants to “end the reputation as a school of proselytizing lesbians”,

another recommended “less emphasis on diversity and political issues, more on academic excellence”.

One person would like to see the breaking down of departmental barriers among faculty, and one

proposes recruiting more visiting professors from abroad.

Other suggestions included publicizing the College both at home and abroad, becoming a public

advocate for girls and their needs and more effectively tapping alumnae resources.

Do you think there is still a role for women’s colleges?

A large majority said, “yes” to this question.

What have you learned in growing older that most influences the way you will determine your plans for

the future?

Eight people discussed the issue of planning itself at our age, with views ranging from “I continue to

make extravagant plans for the future – there are seas I haven’t sailed!” to “Don’t retire – working keeps

you alive!” and “All the planning in the world doesn’t beat dumb luck!”

Thirteen of us expressed the view that each day is a gift to be lived to the full, since we cannot know

what lies ahead, with suggestions to keep a sense of humor and not sweat the small stuff.

Four classmates felt that keeping fit through exercise and diet was most important even though we can’t

do everything we used to do.

Fifteen people took a long view of life as a constantly changing continuum of which death is a part,

suggesting that we “go with the flow”, making appropriate changes in ourselves, our living

arrangements and how we spend our time and energy; that we face the future with courage and

optimism, meet each loss with humor and humility, and “remain active without pinning hopes on staying

productive and living forever”; that we recognize that “a lot of desires and fears become less relevant

with age” and that we need to be “more mellow and accepting of others”, and find balance between time

alone, time with friends and family, and time for accomplishing things – including writing our memoirs!

Fourteen of us stressed the importance of maintaining close relationships and continuing active social

involvement, including living in a community of people and near family and friends, rather than out in

the country or otherwise isolated; being and open to new people and interests, really listening to others

and appreciating their life stories.

Sixteen classmates emphasized the importance of self-knowledge, self-reliance and striving for

excellence, including a belief that one person can make a difference, while recognizing the need to take

less responsibility for what one cannot control; taking advantage of opportunities but having realistic

expectations; focusing on one’s values in making choices and avoiding time-wasting distractions;

acknowledging and compensating for one’s mistakes and using conclusions drawn from one’s

experience; and developing “a little more patience, a little less self-indulgence”.

Fifteen people focused on human co-existence in the nation and the world, stressing the need for

patience, understanding, open dialogue, compromise, seeking peaceful solutions to problems; the

importance of arts and education and of passing on one’s values to the next generation and one’s wealth

to good causes; the concern that the country is polarized by hate and fear and the world is changing too

fast.

What major discoveries do you think will be made in the next ten years?

An overwhelming fifty-nine of us predict significant advances in medicine including breakthroughs in

genetic/stem-cell research to cure diseases; effective prevention of and treatment for cancer, diabetes,

Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, HIV/AIDS and other debilitating diseases; medical treatments based on the

human genome and tailored to individuals; less invasive tests for colon cancer; progress in immunization

and disease prevention, particularly in the Third World; advances in neuroscience to enable people to

deal with mood disorders and treatments that help overcome disparities in genetic inheritance; greater

replacement (and computerization) of body parts.

Twenty-six people foresee solutions to global warming and other environmental issues including

energy-saving, low-pollution buildings, vehicles and appliances; less dependence on oil and

development of viable renewable alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal power

and cold fusion.

Seventeen of us look forward to other developments in science and technology including information

and nanotechnology, “mental communication without gadgets”, as well as anticipating setbacks in

privacy and identity issues; further exploration of oceans and space, discovery of new species,

underwater resource development and advances in desalinization.

Seven classmates envision a reduction of poverty through strengthening of safety nets, including

innovations in food production, revival of inner city neighborhoods, improvements in health and

treatment of the poor, elderly and disabled; safe affordable low impact transportation; diversion of funds

from military to education.

Two people expect a growing realization that our country is in decline due to our squandering of

international goodwill and the suffocating of private investment and job creation by immense

government.