What I love about Hood, I can describe through two gifts that early students gave to the students that followed in their footsteps. One is the Hood ring. The ring has its origins in an early official Hood pin that displayed the Hood College emblem. As early as 1910, classes began to create rings out of these pins, wanting a more meaningful way to display their love of the College. In 1925, an official ring design was created and approved by students, administration, and alumni. When I see a Hood ring, with its deep blue stone and curved “H,” I see a rich history of scholarship, personal development, and the love that alumni feel towards their alma mater. I’ve heard many stories of people connecting through their rings, in community and professional settings, and even in airports or on vacations. I would love to have one of my own, but that privilege is reserved for graduates only!
The second gift early students gave to the college, which embodies the College, is the dedication of the four columns of Hood’s administration building, Alumnae Hall. The columns were dedicated with the following ideals: Hope, Opportunity, Obligation, and Democracy. The Class of 1915 chose Hope so that Hope may support all of Hood’s future endeavors. Opportunity was the gift of the Class of 1916, as it embodies what Hood has to offer. The Class of 1917 chose Obligation as that which goes hand in hand with Opportunity, the obligation to use what Hood gives to good use and social service. Finally, the Class of 1918 named the fourth column for Democracy, taking the definition that each individual has a gift and the ability to use that gift for the betterment of self and society. Every time I climb the stairs of Alumnae Hall, I notice the plaques on the columns and think back to sepia toned photos of students in the past, knowing they are connected to the students of today through these ideals.
–Mary Atwell, librarian
