Changes to LEAP Symposium 2017

Changes to LEAP Symposium 2017

BY CAITLIN LYNCH ’20

The LEAP (Learning from Application) Symposium is an annual gathering where Mount Holyoke students present on their summer internships or research to the public. According to the Mount Holyoke website, the LEAP symposium for summer work has been around at the College for 13 years, and has gone by the name LEAP since 2008.

What did Mount Holyoke students do over fall break 2017?

BY FALGUNI BASNET ’21

“I went camping at Brighton State Park in Vermont, about 20 minutes from the Canadian border. Although it rained for three days straight, we didn’t let the weather get us down! We went on a beautiful hike and even took an accidental drive through Canada.” —Ellie Viggiani ’20

Hannah and Rose: “Are you here for the MoRomance thing?”

Hannah and Rose: “Are you here for the MoRomance thing?”

BY ELEANOR HARRIS ’20

Tinder? Tired. Bumble? Boring. MoRomance? Magical.This week, we matched Hannah*, a sophomore, who described herself as “spunky, fun-loving and artistic,” with Rose*, a “silly but thoughtful” junior. On paper, they seemed like a perfect match. Both told us that they like dance, music and similarly wholesome activities. Rose called her romantic history “limited,” while Hannah referred to her own as some “friendly flirting.”

Mountain Day predictions hit the mark this year

Mountain Day predictions hit the mark this year

BY CAITLIN LYNCH ’20

“I feel the campus hum with wishful thinking about this time of year,” said Rachel Fink, a biology professor who’s been working for Mount Holyoke since 1986, on the prospect of Mountain Day. “Every year there is the same level of excitement and enthusiasm, and everyone has their own way of calculating odds.” 

Internat’l students tackle language barriers

Internat’l students tackle language barriers

BY SABA FIAZUDDIN ’21

Moving to a new place is always challenging, regardless of who you are and where you come from. International students, however, not only have to deal with the complications of acclimating to a new place, but also have to spend a significant period of time trying to get accustomed to the culture and social life of their new home.

Smash Mouth draws Mount Holyoke students to the 101st Big E

Smash Mouth draws Mount Holyoke students to the 101st Big E

BY FALGUNI BASNET ’21

This week, many students from Mount Holyoke College visited New England’s great state fair, “The Big E.” Held every September in West Springfield, Massachusetts, the 17-day event features a wide range of attractions, including rides, concerts, a petting zoo, cooking shows, car shows, fair food vendors and much more. 

Ruth and Roswell: All is fair in love and Battleship

Ruth and Roswell: All is fair in love and Battleship

BY ELEANOR HARRIS ’20

Cuffing season is rapidly approaching, and MoRomance is doing our best to help. We match students based on their responses to our very scientific survey, send them on exciting blind dates and report the details back to you.

Hot or Not? Students weigh in on new Blanchard furniture

Hot or Not? Students weigh in on new Blanchard furniture

BY FLORI NEEDLE ’20

Mount Holyoke’s stated goal in renovating Blanchard is to create a space in which intellectual and social interactions can happen at once. According to the Mount Holyoke website, most of the $50 million renovations will be completed in the spring of 2018. However, some of the changes to Blanchard happened over the summer of 2017.

Ralph Nader addresses MHC students in small private gathering

BY EILEEN O’GRADY ’18

Ralph Nader, tall and stoop-shouldered in his pinstripe suit, leaned both hands on the borrowed podium set up in the cozy sitting room of professor Christopher Pyle’s house in South Hadley last Wednesday evening. A group of 15 students perched on a collection of sofas and dining room chairs in a lamplit circle around him, their gazes fixed on the 83-year old political activist with rapt attention.

Jewish students claim the school could provide more during Passover

BY MICHALA SAWYER ’17

Passover, known as Pesach in Hebrew, is an eight-day celebration of the freedom from slavery of the Israelites in Egypt. It is observed by keeping kosher, avoiding anything leavened and participating in the seder meals, which include four cups of wine, matzah, bitter herbs and retelling the Exodus narrative. Eating on campus can potentially be difficult for Jewish students observing Passover. To avoid leaven, or chametz in Hebrew, students have to avoid pasta, bread, cake, cookies, cereal, pizza and most alcoholic beverages, which make up some essential meals for college students.

Beyond the Gates: Camille Coklow '16

Beyond the Gates: Camille Coklow '16

BY HALEY ROBINSON '17

This week’s spotlight shines on Camille Coklow ‘16. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Coklow’s father was the driving force behind her interest in Mount Holyoke. “[He] really wanted me to attend a ‘pedigree’ institution and felt as though Mount Holyoke would be the perfect place for me,” Coklow shared. 

Local residents address MoHo stereotypes

BY MADELINE SKRAK '18

“It’s so weird that I never see any boys there,” says a young woman referring to the Mount Holyoke College campus, which is just 4 minutes away from where she works at the Cumberland Farms gas station and a half-mile drive from where she grew up in South Hadley. Her plastic nametag reads “Cortney.”

Beyond the Gates: Laakan McHardy '16

Beyond the Gates: Laakan McHardy '16

BY HALEY ROBINSON '17 

Laakan McHardy ’16 describes Mount Holyoke as “an inclusive community of forward thinkers and ambitious agents of social change.” McHardy, an international student from Montego Bay, Jamaica, is just that: bold and determined.