Bonnie Brock '72 & Louise Stafford '72

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1972

As two of the first women on campus, can you describe your Saint Michael’s College experience: When we arrived at Building 800 (now known as Linnehan Hall on North Campus), we were met by the guys from Crown & Sword (a precursor to the Founders Society) who helped move us into the building.

The father of one of the incoming freshman commented to another dad, on move-in day, that it was very surreal for him, dropping his daughter off in building 800. He had been stationed at Fort Ethan Allen during WWII & our new home had been the PX (a type of retail store found on US military bases) and the Brig (a military prison).

We were all assigned a big brother, to help us get familiar with campus. And we rode a yellow school bus back and forth between north and main campuses.

We never went to the cafeteria alone — something about 400 sets of eyes being trained on us made us feel better in a group.

Don Sutton was the dean of men. There was no counterpart for the women for the first year of having co-eds as part of St. Mike’s life.

The Burlington Free Press interviewed us from time to time. One of the first headlines was “The 1st crop of coeds arrives at Saint Michael’s College.”

Building 800 housed the original 23 co-eds and almost as many international students who came to study English. The international program was well known and regarded. One of those students is still friendly with us, even today. We formed lifelong friendships with a few of the original co-eds.

What are some strategies that can help women achieve a more prominent role in their organizations: Keep current with your profession, via readings, seminars, technology, etc… Understand the business and/or organization that you’re in. Have a global overview. Stay relative with your constituency and stakeholders in your work environment.