Hollins Reunion 2023
A 70th Reunion in Words: Memories from the Class of 1953
Margaret “Peggy” Wood Doss and her fellow members of the class of 1953 were unfortunately unable to gather at Hollins this summer to celebrate their 70th reunion. So Doss and a classmate came up with the creative idea to have, as she puts it, “a 70th reunion in words,” and share “snapshot scenes and some important events that took place during our four years, 1949 to 1953.”
Doss and the class of ’53 entered Hollins under the presidency of Bessie Carter Randolph, a Hollins alumna (class of 1912) who had guided the institution since 1933. But, with Randolph’s retirement in 1950, Doss and her classmates began their sophomore year under a new leader: John Rutherford Everett, who was just 31 years old when he took office.
“Eastnor was then the president’s home, and Everett lived there with his wife, Betty, and three-year-old daughter, Peggy,” Doss recalls. “The family became a part of our college experience.”
In addition to his administrative duties, Everett was also a member of the Hollins faculty. “He taught a course in economics — a welcome addition,” Doss says.
Doss majored in art history at Hollins, and she notes that “the class of 1953 had about 12 majors in both ‘history of art’ and ‘art.’ Our classes were held in the Art Annex behind the Little Theatre. Upstairs was a huge room that was home to those who were painters. It was dotted with easels and full of good light from both tall windows and skylights. Professors John Ballator and Lewis Thompson were both much-loved teachers.”
Downstairs “in more modest space” in the Art Annex “was the realm for art history students,” Doss says. “Our professor was Frances Niederer, a talented young woman who founded and shaped this major. Professor Niederer taught a variety of courses, from Egyptian, Greek, and Roman arts to architecture and medieval and modern art.” Niederer instructed her classes “in a room with high desks where slides were projected on a screen wall. In the darkened room we took notes by a light on each desk.”
During those years, Keller Hall, located downstairs in Main Building, served as the college’s student center. Doss remembers four art majors taking the initiative to decorate it. “They composed two fresco murals depicting Hollins people, spaces, and ceremonies for future students to enjoy.”
Doss is also proud of how the art majors from the class of ’53 established another enduring legacy. “They came together to donate funds for the Art History Viewing Room, a place where both art history and art majors could study together.”
Paula Brownlee named President Emerita
Paula Pimlott Brownlee served as president of then Hollins College from 1981 until 1990. During Reunion Weekend, at a special ceremony held in the duPont Chapel, Brownlee was honored as president emerita, by special resolution of the Hollins Board of Trustees.
Their resolution concludes, “Resolved, that Hollins has benefited from your bold, progressive, collaborative, and innovative leadership. As our seventh president, you brought preeminence to Hollins. You reflect the epitome of Hollins women everywhere. Indeed, we are beyond lucky and exceptionally proud. Named president emerita, the Board of Trustees expresses its deepest gratitude for your stellar leadership and commitment to Hollins throughout your presidency and beyond.”
Read the full resolution.
