Funny Books
Each new class at Kirkland had its own “funny” book. Funny books provided names and photographs of incoming freshwomen and listed their hometowns and dormitories. According to the Charter Class funny book, “This booklet was prepared and published by The Apple Corps, a group comprised of Kirkland affiliated women and other individuals interested in being of service to the College.” The Facebook of its time, the funny book helped introduce classmates to one another by providing a visual, geographical, and campus-oriented reference.
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Orientation Schedules
Illustration by Carol Travis Friscia, '77
All incoming students go through an orientation—to their fellow classmates, to the facilities, and to the geography of their new colleges. Kirkland’s charter class received a 2-page mimeographed program, but by the time the class of 1978 arrived, (Kirkland’s last graduating class) a full printed brochure was provided. One thing all Kirkland orientations appear to have had in common was the Harding Farm picnic. The ’76 program featured screenings of “Bananas” and “Casablanca.”
What do you recall of Orientation Week? Click here to check out the 2010 orientation schedule at Hamilton College and compare.
by Jo Pitkin K’78 and Jennie Morris K’72
Click on the images below to view a larger version.
 1974 Orientation Schedule courtesy of |
 Hamilton Archivist Katherine Collett |
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Welcome to Kirkland!
In early September, members of Kirkland’s Orientation Committee helped new students find their way. After arriving on campus,many incoming freshwomen were greeted by volunteers who manned folding tables set up near a breezeway that formerly connected McEwen and KJ. For a number of women embarking on academic life at Kirkland, this narrow cobblestone entry represented a symbolic passage between the old life being left behind and the new one about to begin. Upperclasswomen distributed room keys, dorm key cards, student handbooks, and other materials. Some freshwomen in the later classes received two small gifts: a plant and a book.
The miniature plant, obviously, represented new beginnings and echoed the image of the growing apple tree on our college seal. (It is rumored that a Kirkland alumna with an incredible green thumb still has hers after all these years.) What a warm housewarming gift for an empty, sterile dorm room!
The book, on the other hand, offered young women vital practical information. An essential guide of its day, Our Bodies, Ourselves was first published by New England Free Press in 1971. At the time, this book was considered radical for allowing women to share stories and thoughts about their own bodies. Not surprisingly, a number of alumnae still have their editions that were handed out during orientation and subsequently shelved year after year on bookshelves in Clinton—and beyond.
by Jo Pitkin K’78
A Sign for Our Times
In the spring of 2010, a permanent cast-iron historic marker was placed at the entrance to the Kirkland Campus by Hamilton College. Its text, in gold letters on a green background, reads:
Kirkland College, a college for women, fostered creative spirit, independent thinking and intellectual curiosity. Founded 1965, merged with Hamilton College 1978.
Francis Musselman, former Kirkland College Trustee, at marker dedication
Traditionally, New York State markers were blue with gold lettering – the colors used for the campus signs marking the Chapel and Elihu Root’s birthplace. However, when Communications & Development officer Dick Tantillo investigated the possibility of placing a third marker on campus, he discovered an interesting fact: markers are produced by a few independent iron foundries, and there are no fixed color requirements. Trustee Susan Skerritt suggested that a dark green background would be most appropriate for this new landmark. After discussion with several other alumnae, the decision was made to place the marker at the same spot on College Hill Road where a large wooden sign once indicated the entrance to Kirkland College.
Click the triangle to hear Fran Musselman’s “Open Mike” remarks:
![IMG_2119[1]](https://kirklandcollege.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/img_21191.jpg?w=600)
Nancy Avery Dafoe (K’74), Bill Rosenfeld, Billie Jean Stratton (K’74), and Jo Pitkin (K’78) in McEwen’s Cafe Opus
Kirkland College entrance, circa 1970
A crowd of alumnae, current students, past faculty and well-wishers gathered on April 16, 2010 to dedicate the marker, and gathered afterward in the nearby Molly Root House for champagne and Open Mike reception.
Just like our unusual diplomas, the green marker represents a quintessential Kirkland trait: the impulse to question assumptions and involve community in creating a unique and satisfying outcome.
 Marker dedication attendees waited in the rain |
 Kate Faison ’79 and Susie Hartman ’74 |
Kirkland College 