By Laura Spencer, Editor-in-Chief
Dozens gathered on Sept. 12 for the Alumnae Hall column rededication ceremony, officially bringing the celebration of Hood College’s 125th anniversary to an end.
Student representatives from the classes of 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 rededicated the four iconic columns of Alumnae Hall. The columns represent Hope, Opportunity, Obligation, and Democracy with the first letters of each word spelling HOOD.
When Alumnae Hall was first established, marking the first building on Hood’s new campus, the classes of 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918 pledged to raise the necessary funds for the columns. They later held a ceremony to celebrate the newly opened hall and to dedicate the columns.
“Just as these columns support the building, so many hopes support whatever Hood College undertakes in the future,” said Kara Poole, the senior class president, in her dedication speech. Poole dedicated Alumnae’s Hope column.
Each representative connected the ideals of their dedications to the others’, showing how each supports and is supported by the next — just as the columns, standing side by side, support the building itself.
“Opportunity is the dream child of hope,” said Christian Hoch, class of 2020 president, in his dedication speech. “What better name then to be given to the second pillar which guards the entrance to Hood College than Opportunity? A term which truly expresses just what this college has to offer.”
According to President Chapdelaine, at the time that Alumnae Hall opened there were approximately 80 women in each class.
Today, Hood is home to approximately 1,100 undergraduate students. “It was an honor rededicating the column, I have so much love for Hood College,” said Lily Bean, class of 2021 president. “I am the traditions chair too, so I am going to try to bring Hood back to its roots, but include men this time.”
Hood has grown and evolved a lot in 125 years, from a small women’s college into the beloved and respected (and co-ed) institution it is today, but the same ideals and values still echo throughout the campus.
The ceremony marks the end of a year-long celebration of Hood College’s 125th anniversary, and the beginning of its 126th academic year.
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