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A different sort of college
December 4, 2007
My first college was located near Philadelphia. It was pretty average, a state school, with brick buildings and a large student population.
Since then, I’ve made a few transitions, the biggest of which being my current college, a private school tucked away in the “park-like acres” of Pittsburgh (the most fantastic place in all the land).
I’ve wanted to describe the experience, but I always had trouble finding an intro, never able to come up with the appropriate things to say. The entire undergraduate student body is only 800? Too boring. The campus is composed of historical mansions and covered in botanical gardens? Too haughty. It’s an all-women’s institution where everyone is BFF? Too weird.
I was on campus tonight, though, at a small gathering and ended up taking a lot of pictures, and I think it provides a nice window into life at this particular school.
University President Esther Barazzone’s home on campus was recently decorated for Christmas by local designers and florists as part of a show for our local conservatory.
Earlier today, she sent out a mass e-mail to the students, welcoming them to stop by later in the evening to take a look at her house and drink hot chocolate and cider.
When I arrived, there were six or so girls there. I knocked on the front door and was greeted by Esther (who remembered my name), her dog, and several of her friends. I was given a tour of the rooms and introductions were made.
I wondered around for a while, awestruck at the detail in the decorations, taking pictures and eating cookies from little china plates, and periodically being led by Esther as she explained her art collection.
I was crazy about the table settings.
After a little while the small group was ushered into the living room, where we were coaxed into singing a few Christmas carols. Esther led, of course. There she is on the right.
It was like stepping into a magazine, everything was so elegant, but it was also surprisingly warm and comfortable.
It lasted for about an hour, after which everyone said their goodbyes and wandered back to their homes or dorms to sleep or finish homework.
The photo set can be found here.
Categories: College, Daily, Holidays
December 4th, 2007 at 2:48 am
woah.
Very different. Very cool. Very jealous.
December 4th, 2007 at 3:26 am
I’ve always wondered what that place was like. It’s all hidden away, like a secret society.
The area is beautiful, though, so it’s no surprise the campus is also.
Isn’t that where the Melon and Carnegie and other oldschool Pittsburgh millionaire’s mansions are?
December 4th, 2007 at 5:56 am
I shall transfer there. Tomorrow.
Although, I’m reading that its über selective. What are my chances?
December 4th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Is it wrong that it sounds to me like a very elegant episode of Saved By the Bell: the College Years? Yes, I think so.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Aww, that’s lovely. And now I want cookies.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Your college sounds so warm and fuzzy! I wish I had gone there…
December 4th, 2007 at 10:36 am
It’s nice to get a glimpse into Chatham life! Sometimes I wonder if I would have preferred a smaller school than Pitt … I guess I’ll never know. I’m glad you’ve found a school that makes you happy, though - that’s very important.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:24 am
It sounds lovely - rather British actually. Where I went to University there were only roughly that number of students and it was so good - everyone knew who you were etc (well, that wasn’t ALWAYS good!). It wasn’t as posh as yours but it had sea views and . . . oh dear, I am in danger of having one of those wistful fuzzy moments that we, 40-something-year-old people get when we think of the “good old days”. Sounds like you have the good old days in 2007. Lucky you. Make the most of it.
December 4th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
wow that’s goregous. You’ve got quite the eye!
December 4th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
I transferred from a very huge state university to a school with a student population of around 500. I thought it would be boring but I like the close knit feel of the small school.
Looking at those cookies has reminded me of how hungry I am.
December 4th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Wow the house is sooo beautiful! I hope to decorate my place like that some day.
December 4th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Sounds unbelievably cosy!
December 4th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I meant, of course, cozy. Us foreigners shouldn’t be expected to spell correctfully. The English languages - she is so very confusing.
December 4th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
“It’s an all-women’s institution where everyone is BFF” - that sounds pretty good, actually. I don’t know of any all-women’s institutions in my area, but the idea sounds great! And those decorations look splendid :)
December 4th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
It’s beautiful…and the decor, I love them! Thanks for sharing this with us…
December 4th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
oh i love it! wow, it kind of sounds like the perfect little college! great pictures. sounds like a comfy, cozy fun night!
December 4th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Wow that sounds amazing. Our college here has a gathering around the big Christmas tree in the square and every student can bring an ornament to hang on the tree, we have hot chocolate and cider and sing carols. But it’s no where near as cozy as this gathering looks!! I secretly love the place settings too ;)
December 4th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Wow, that’s absolutely gorgeous.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Oooh, which school? I’m at West Chester University– medium-sized population, but with a gorgeous castle with an autograph library inside. I like it enough to stay on full time, I guess.
I visited a few small schools, but it felt like nothing was happening. Nothing happens here either, but there are more people to commiserate about it with you. The one thing I would never be able to handle is a Penn State-like school with 40+ thousand people. Geesh!
K.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Kate - I’ve been there! It wasn’t too far from Bloomsburg, and when I briefly competed with forensics, we had tournaments there.
Actually, I made pretty good friends with some of West Chester’s team, and they were wonderful.
Penn State is a torture I’d be unable to bear.
December 5th, 2007 at 10:59 am
gorgeous pictures!
The cookies made me hungry for fresh ones yum.
You’ve been tagged!
December 5th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Im not sure how much i could hear your dog yap and yap like that. Very cute though.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
I like your school.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Emma - You should transfer here. And we can snidely argue about holidays and finances and be BFF.
December 5th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Well, then you probably know a few of my friends from the forensics team. Small world, ain’t it?
K.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Damn. This is really adult!
Definitely not like my school.
December 6th, 2007 at 7:02 am
Wow, and I thought that my school was small!
Sigh, you make me miss undergrad!
December 17th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Thank you for posting about my Alma Mater…it was a wonderful place when I was there and I hear it still is!
December 17th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
DearEsther, Thank you so much for sharing these pictures. Made me feel like I was there with you all. Everything is beautiful and festive. Someday I’ll join you at this time of the year. May you have a very Blessed and Holy Christmas Season and the very best of New Years. Love and Peace, Mary Ann S. Goodrum–Nashville, TN P.S. Don’t forget to book all your travel needs on my website–www.StJoeTravelPro.com—check out all of our specials.
December 18th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
This is my alma mater. I still miss Fickes Eggnog round this time of year.
March 10th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
why didn’t you go to a seven sisters school?