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Town of Davidson serves as backdrop in scenes from new romantic comedy
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Former Professor of English Cynthia Lewis provides insight into life as a woman at Davidson
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Campus in the 1960s, prior to coeducation. Photo from Davidson College
ALICE ODUM ‘26 (SHE/HER) STAFF WRITER SOPHIA CIMBALLA (SHE/HER) STAFF WRITER The first class of women accepted to Davidson entered the school in the fall of 1973. “I had sent my SAT scores to the school after hearing it was going coed. I received a letter back saying, and I may not have this quite right, ‘You are the kind of fine young man we are looking for,’” reminisces Laurie Dunn ‘77. Dunn entered Davidson in 1973 with a small cohort of female students as part of the first class to attend after the College became officially co-educational. Davidson decided to allow women to attend full-time and graduate with degrees in 1972. This move was met with support by many, but came with pushback and unique challenges for female students. According to former college archivist Jan Blodgett, women had been studying at Davidson long before coeducation was made the official policy. “There have been women studying at the college since [the 1860s],” Blodgett said.“They were not considered as regular students but during the Depression and WWII, local women taking classes helped keep the college afloat. The first woman to complete all four years at Davidson was Annie Brown in 1901, but she was only given a certificate noting she had done the work.” The transition to coeducation had a marked impact on the women who became Davidson students and graduates. “I vividly remember seeing the news report that Davidson’s trustees had voted to accept women, so figured I’d give it a shot,” Debbie
Volume 122, Issue 06
November 08, 2023
Darden ‘78 siad. “When I realized I’d go there if I got in, I applied early decision and got in. It was the best decision I ever made.” Sue Ross began working at Davidson in 1977 as the Associate Dean of Students and a professor in the English department, after receiving her PhD from UNC. In her role, Ross witnessed the transition firsthand from the perspective of a faculty member. “Davidson women were in an unusual position because almost all of the cohorts of the college were in favor of co-education,” Ross said. “The students were in favor, most of the faculty and staff, the trustees, the administration. The only cohort that wasn’t was the alums.” Ross explained how women, upon arriving at Davidson, immediately began to succeed in academics and get involved in student organizations. When she began in her role as Associate Dean of Students in 1977, women already occupied the positions of Davidsonian Editor-in-Chief and Union Board president. “They were already taking their place in very successful ways,” Ross said. However these first female students “still had to prove themselves.” “Entering Davidson in 1973 as a coed was interesting on a number of levels,” Dunn said. “The men and faculty seemed divided as to whether or not they wanted women there, but I thought the campus was mostly receptive.” The integration of female students also meant a dramatic shift in the social scene on campus. The ratio of men to women in early years of coeducation was heavily skewed towards the male students. This dynamic proved memorable for the College’s first female graduates.
Living Davidson tracks student’s Halloween costumes for the 202324 school year
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The Yowl gives shopping advice for what can be bought for the price of tuition
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Susan T Strahan, the first international female to attend Davidson. Photo from Davidson College
“A profesor handed back my paper and said loud enough for everyone to hear ‘Pretty good for a girl,’” Dunn said. Bonnie Revelle ‘77, felt that she earned her place as a Davidson student after an “esteemed” male faculty member, who was a known opponent of coeducation told her during her senior year that, “if we had to accept women, I am very glad that we accepted women like you.’” Annie Porges ‘85, Senior Associate Director of Major Gifts, reflected on her experience as a woman at Davidson with the notion that a “double-edged sword existed.” Porges points to the less glamorous aspects of this transitional period, giving a few examples like the naming of Warner Hall Eating House, an all female organization on campus, after a man. “I just don’t think that the campus had really been prepared for what the dynamics were going to be around male female relationships.” Part of adjusting to the new dynamic of male-female relationships included providing education in regards to sexual relationships, an aspect of student life on campus that the female faculty members valued. Ross, in her position of Associate Dean of Students, had Planned Parenthood come talk to Davidson hall counselors every year to answer questions and equip them to talk to younger students in their halls. “One of the first things I did was go to the drugstore downtown and ask where the condoms were [...] they ought to be somewhere where they are easily accessible.” Laurie Cameron ‘77, offered a story about her time as a vocalist, and possible contribution to the founding of the first coed vocal group.
“When auditions for the prestigious Male Chorus were posted, I signed up and auditioned- as a tenor, which I am not. The director, Mr. Don Plott, heard my audition and noted: ‘while you have the vocal ability to join this group, you are a mezzo soprano and not a tenor. And you wouldn’t look good in a tuxedo.’... But the next week, the music department announced auditions for a new madrigal group of 16 voices (8 female and 8 male). The small size ensured there would be quality from the small group of women on campus, and took the best of the Male Chorus members.” Despite the few negative encounters, many alumni insisted that the college and town of Davidson were receptive and supportive to the official introduction of women on campus. “I am so grateful for the academics of Davidson, the sciences were particularly welltaught, but especially for the strong friendships that have developed through the years, both within our class but also across generations,” Dunn said.“The people of Davidson are just wonderful. What a great choice Davidson made to embrace coeducation.” The first few years of co-education at Davidson provided for meaningful experiences for female students. In the early days, when Ross spoke with alumni who opposed the admission of female students, she would ask: “If you had such a great experience at Davidson, why wouldn’t you want your girl children to go there?” to which they claimed it, “wouldn’t be the same.” Ross’ response? “It would be better.”