Student Snapshot: Rebecca Fox '22
Rebecca Fox ’22 has heard a lot about Dickinson since childhood, but it wasn’t until she stepped foot on campus that she knew it was the college for her. She says that Dickinson’s liberal-arts approach to the arts allows her to create meaningful, valued art, and she appreciates the college's excellent arts facilities. Her connections to professors have helped her expand her passion for and understanding of diverse topics.
Hometown:
Saratoga Springs, New York.
Major:
Art & art history (studio-art concentration) with a minor in women’s, gender & sexuality studies (WGSS).
Clubs and organizations:
The Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues, The Trout Gallery (museum ambassador), Goodyear Gallery (attendant), Open Session Life Drawing, Arts Collective and Philosophy Collective/Philosophy With Children.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Alpha Lambda Delta, Iota Iota Iota, Dean's List (four years) and the Irving and Esther Yaverbaum Scholarship.
Favorite book:
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
Favorite movie:
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
On choosing Dickinson:
My grandmother, Jean Kottcamp Simpson, went to Dickinson (class of 1958), so I grew up hearing about the college. My sister, Lydia, attended Dickinson as well (class of 2019), but it wasn't until I visited the campus and was struck by the beauty of the white buildings against the green of the quads that I could envision myself at Dickinson.
Favorite place on campus:
The second-floor studios in Goodyear.
Best thing about my Dickinson experience so far:
The professors at Dickinson care so much about the interactions they have with students, both inside the classroom and out. I have had so many valuable interactions with professors outside of class; I've received advice that has changed the way I think about my career at Dickinson and in the future. Inside the classroom, all of the professors I've had care deeply about the subject they teach, and they are willing help you to become as passionate about the materials as they are.
Favorite off-campus spot:
My favorite restaurant in town is Issei, though I appreciate the Carlisle Diner on Sunday mornings.
Best thing about my major:
The art & art history major at Dickinson is divided into studio art and art history, but I love that both concentrations have to take classes on the other side of the major. My art-history courses have been so important in informing the way I make and view my own art. There's a strong focus on connecting art to the other subjects and parts of life at Dickinson, which makes creating art feel more important and valued. We also have access to incredible studio spaces, which I've taken advantage of, both in the Goodyear Studio and the ceramic studio.
As I kid, I wanted to be ...
… an architect! I loved drawing buildings, and I didn't really realize there was more to the job than that.
Favorite class so far:
One of my favorite classes was in my first semester of college. It was Moral Problems (Philosophy 102), with Assistant Professor of Philosophy Amy McKiernan. It was the first class I've taken where I read everything for class and then asked the professor for other recommendations—the subject matter was so interesting. This class also got me involved in the Philosophy Collective, where I was able to talk with other students about philosophical theories in relation to specific issues. Professor McKiernan made it clear that anyone could study philosophy and participate in thoughtful discussions, no matter what major they declared or what classes they've taken. It was such a welcoming space for intense conversations!
Favorite professor so far:
I'm so grateful for my advisor, Associate Professor of Art Todd Arsenault, for his support and guidance! All of my professors have been wonderful, so it's hard to single out any others, but I'm also incredibly grateful for the newest addition to the art department, Assistant Professor of Art & Art History Eleanor Conover, for her insight and motivation. The entire women’s, gender & sexuality studies department has supported me through receiving a minor, but Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Katie Oliviero specifically helped me decide that I wanted to pursue WGSS.
About my internship:
I had an internship at the Saratoga Clay Arts Center, in upstate New York, during summer 2021. I worked independently in the studio to complete daily tasks, and I taught summer-school students. I learned so much about every aspect of clay and 3-D art. That really propelled my work for my senior art thesis.
Advice for younger students:
Take advantage of office hours. Become friendly with your professors. They will be your best resource.
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Published February 15, 2022