NAMES FROM THE WALL
Shining the Spotlight on Scripps Alumnae
As you may recall, many alumnae have left their mark, literally, on the northern wall of the Rose Garden. Some classes have detailed, ornate murals surrounded with signatures while others thought their names were significant enough to mark their time at Scripps. Whether you remember it being called "North Wall" or "Graffiti Wall" this place holds special meaning for alumnae and remains in perpetuity. Who are these women who signed this wall? What have they done? What are they doing today? What did Scripps mean to them yesterday and how does Scripps play a role in their life today? We don't know all of them, some are nothing more than signatures written in blue, black, red, or yellow acrylic. It is time to start getting to know these 'names on the wall' to showcase their talents and personalities-to find out who these alumnae are. That is what this new series Names From the Wall hopes to accomplish.
Each issue of Tenth and Columbia will feature a new alumna profile with a photograph and her answers to series of questions. An archive of Names From the Wall will be housed on both the online community and the Scripps College website. You are the authority in knowing what is happening with your classmates and friends. If you know someone who should be featured, please contact us. If you would like to view archived profiles click on the linked names below.
Robin Dobashi '09
La Jolla, California
Confidently, courageously, hopefully. Is this you today?
("The paramount obligation of a college is to develop in its students the ability to think clearly and independently, and teh ability to live confidently, courageously, and hopefully." - Ellen Browning Scripps)
Definitely. Especially with regard to my chosen profession. I hope to personally live each day confidently, courageously, and hopefully and empower my students to be able to do the same.
What was your major at Scripps?
Mathematics!
What is your favorite Scripps Memory?
My favorite Scripps memories are those every day occurrances that involve my friends. Playing mafia, dancing the polka, lying on the lawns, going to candlelight dinners, making silly faces, being together.
Who or what most influenced your experience at Scripps?
To be completely honest, it was Richard Mehlinger, a Harvey Mudd student, who most influenced my academic experience at Scripps. He strongly suggested that I take some mathematics and computer science courses at Harvey Mudd College, and I am very glad that I did despite being worried about it destroying my GPA. In hindsight, those classes did harm my GPA, but I was a changed student. I began taking classes for the love of learning, not for how it would look on my transcript.
Advice to future alumnae: "If I knew then what I know now. . ."
Those late-night heart-to-heart conversations you have with your friends are just as important as any reading, paper, or problem set you have to finish.
Marga Rose Hancock (nee Rosencranz) '69
Seattle, Washington
What has been your proudest moment since leaving Scripps?:
Aside from much pride in work & family (passionate 33-year
marriage): as we attended our 20th reunion in 1989, my classmates and I
longed to re-experience the joys of living on campus. This became the
inspiration for the Creative Caucus in our years-long effort to invent
& establish Camp Scripps& also the Lois Langland
Alumnae-in-Residence program.
How does your unique Scripps experience influence your life as you choose to live it today?
I continually seek to manifest the ideal of creative community, often
engaging women, as with Scripps Alumnae WeWa, Alumnae Leadership
Council, & the Seattle-based WilDLife/Women Design Leaders group
I've organized recently.
Who or what most influenced your experience at Scripps?
Claremont campus-mates from student days continue to play a key role
inmy life, along with other alumnae I've come to know since. I much
value their generosity in letting me learn with & about them,
Faculty mentors include the late Marjorie Downing, Sharon Brown, &
Lois Langland.
Do you remember it as "Graffiti" or "North" wall?
"Marga" appears on "The Wall" as we called it -- though clearly subject to the disappearing act of aging.
At my next Reunion I want to be able to say...
"Hello again. How goes it?"