Nora Mishanec
Hometown: Schenectady, New York
Why did you choose Wellesley?
I attended community college for a year, and that's where I realized that I wanted to go to a school with small classes and lots of access to professors. I babysat the son of an alumna for many years. After putting him to bed, I would always pick up her copy of the College's alumnae magazine. I loved reading about Wellesley but never considered going here because I dismissed it as too expensive. When I told her that I was thinking about transferring to a liberal arts school, she convinced me to apply and helped me through the transfer process. Her love for Wellesley came through loud and clear, and that's how I wanted to feel about my school. I visited the campus and drove home hoping that I would get accepted. Luckily, I did!
What is your favorite Wellesley memory?
I hadn't been on campus longer than a couple of hours when I fell into a conversation with a group of student athletes. When I told them that I was an ice hockey player, they got excited because they knew the field hockey team was looking for a few extra players. They insisted that I talk to the coach. She gave me a stick, taught me the basic skills, and I made the team as a walk-on. Everyone was so welcoming and supportive. For me, this story illustrates how many possibilities there are at Wellesley if you're open to trying new things.
What is a fun campus event you have attended?
I went to a great impromptu birthday party in Tower one Saturday night. There were a ton of us crammed into one tiny single, dancing to nineties pop, hanging out, and stuffing ourselves with smuggled baked goods from the dining hall. It was so much fun!
What is your favorite spot on campus?
It's got to be the top floor of the Davis Museum. It's filled with sculptures from the College's collection, and they light up during the day when the sun comes in through the huge skylights. I love it up there; it's so serene.
What are you passionate about?
Right now I'm trying to plan a dance festival. There are several dance groups on campus, and they all have their own separate shows. After seeing a great performance by the Wellesley College Dancers, I realized now neat it would be if we could have a festival where all the troupes performed on one night, and maybe even collaborated with some of the musical groups on campus. It's still in the early planning stage, but I'm really excited about it.
What is your favorite eating spot on campus?
I live for Sundae Sundays in Bates Dining Hall. When I first got here I would eat an ice cream sundae - and nothing else - for dinner, just because I could. I'm happy I've gotten over that phase (almost).
What advice would you give a prospective student?
I would definitely tell prospective students to forget about the all-women's factor. There are so many things to love about Wellesley; I think the fact that it's not coed becomes less and less important the more time you spend here. It might seem strange for the first few weeks, but after that, it becomes very comfortable and wonderful.
