Connecting to Wilson

JM: Since “dancer” was not on the list of “what do you want to be when you grow up?” and a college degree was the expected next step upon graduation from high school, I focused on finding a college major that matched my interests. The one that seemed to fit best was Fine Arts, History and Studio. I was given a geographic parameter, primarily small colleges in Pennsylvania. A small women’s college seemed the best place for me, according to the high school guidance counselor and my parents. So, I searched for one that had dance as an extra-curricular activity!

PN: I have to say that Wilson College was not my first choice. I had also applied to Sarah Lawrence College, but I was on the waiting list, and 1959 was the first year of the war baby glut— the over acceptance was twenty-five people! The Associate Principle at Westtown Friends School where I attended recommended Wilson. My Mother remembers her telling my parents, “We don’t want Phoebe to be Bohemian!”

MWP: I had always wanted to pursue dance as a career, but I was on assistance from the VA for college expenses (after my father died) and the program would not cover classes in dance. Wilson gave me the chance to dance and still get my degree. Dance was a part of the Physical Ed Dept so I could take classes even if I couldn’t major in Dance. I was able to use a piece of choreography in place of required papers in several of my English Lit courses. I was thankful for that and although I was never able to advance as far as I’d hoped to, I’ve never regretted what I learned there. Orchesis and Wilson probably did the same for others like me.