Similar to other mornings, day four started with breakfast and class sessions in Denny Hall. As Abigail Adams prompted her husband in 1776, the students tried to “remember the ladies,” and dedicated their learning to American feminism. They examined Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s Declaration of Sentiments, written in 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention. They also discussed Sojourner Truth’s famous woman’s rights speech given in 1851. With a lecture on suffrage and other topics in feminism from Professor Mealy, the students finished the morning with a subtext discussion led by Professor Pinsker.

Professor Mealy standing in front of the students, giving a lecture on American feminism in Denny 317, stained glass in the background

Professor Mealy lecturing on feminism

After a lunch in the HUB, the students met outside of Old West. They were given the Dickinson and Slavery tour led by myself and my fellow undergraduate interns, Sarah and James. We started by unraveling the story behind Dickinson College’s founding and its relationship with slavery. We then walked the students through the very complicated- and very controversial- Supreme Court case Dred Scott v. Sanford, dissecting Dickinson’s involvement in the landmark decision. Later in the tour, the students learned about significant black figures on campus during the Reconstruction era such as janitors like Henry Spradley and Robert Young, and food vendors Noah and Carrie Pinkney.

Students standing in a semicircle, listening to Sarah speak about Dickinson's legacy regarding slavery

Students surrounding the plaque at Old West on the Dickinson and Slavery tour

 

We ended the tour with a stop at the House Divided Studio, telling the students various stories about Dickinson’s connection with major American historical events like the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. The students then had the chance to explore the exhibits in the studio, getting to touch and read facsimiles of various crucial documents. Throughout the entire tour, the students asked wonderful questions and seemed incredibly eager to learn more about Dickinson’s complex legacy regarding slavery. After the tour, the students ended their afternoon with an admissions session led by the Vice President for Enrollment Management, Greg Moyer.

Greg Moyer standing at the front of the room, talking to the students about admissions

Greg Moyer leading the students in a discussion on the college admission process

 

Here, the students absorbed information regarding the college search and application process. After some downtime and dinner in the Caf, students met with grad TA’s Sarah and Andrew to brainstorm ideas for their close reading assignments due after the weekend. With some productive conversations, the students headed to bed, ready for yet another day of learning in the morning. Overall, it was a great day filled with much new knowledge and a good amount of fun, too.