1930s [’41] and Peggy Hepburn [’40] were both science majors so they went to Panama to look at bugs. This we called our winter period. It’s now called the NonResident Term. And Puff Harriman [’40], she was a social sciences major so she went to Washington to picket the White House. And since I was a dramadance major, I naturally hotfooted it to Broadway to get a job performing.” She was worried about how long she might be away, but the faculty was very understanding and told her “‘Carol, do not worry. You can always come back,’ they said. ‘You get your experience while you can.’ Well, that was in 1940. Here I am, 35 years later, still getting my experience. And I know it seems like a rather extended Winter
Period. But that is what I am on.” She said as soon as she gets done with her “everlasting NRT” she would return to the “hallowed hills” and complete her Bennington degree. The following morning, just prior to the traditional graduation ceremonies, Carol Channing went on a tour of the new arts complex [VAPA, Visual & Performing Arts center] conducted by Robertson Ward, the architect. Then the Channing party flew back to New York while the faculty and trustees conferred the degree of Bachelor of Arts on 110 students and two masters degrees.
1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
From Quadrille, Vol. 9, No. 4, 1975
BENNINGTON COLLEGE ARCHIVES
Carol Channing ’42 with Bennington students, circa 1970s
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