Gabrielle Richards ’07
Donor Profile
Tell us about your Dickinson experience.
I attended Dickinson from 2003 to 2007, and I majored in economics and minored in Spanish. I played women's lacrosse during all four years, and I was captain my senior year. I also was in APO, AASU and the Hypnotic hip-hop dance team. Dickinson was incredibly enjoyable. I made long-lasting friendships and learned valuable lessons. One of my most memorable experiences was studying abroad in Málaga, Spain, during my junior year.
How has Dickinson’s useful liberal-arts education helped you?
After Dickinson I attended Drexel University and received an M.S. in fashion design. Being a student-athlete at a liberal-arts college like Dickinson taught me discipline and balance and how to think critically outside the box and be a team player. Being at Dickinson helped me to quickly navigate life outside of college.
What inspired you to get involved as a Dickinson volunteer?
Prior to Dickinson I attended Mercersburg Academy, a prestigious boarding/day school, where I received a scholarship from a program called A Better Chance. Through that experience, volunteering and giving back was embedded in my ethos.
Why do you feel that it is important to give back to Dickinson?
It's important to continue the cycle of giving back to Dickinson because it helps so many students. Unfortunately, education is not free, but I deeply believe that it should be accessible to all. So giving back can help some students who do not have the resources to gain access to essential items.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Dickinson?
My favorite memory was planning and leading a fashion show at Dickinson for a fundraiser. We convinced then-President [William G.] Durden [’71] to walk in the show. That was definitely my segue into the fashion industry.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love photography, the arts, volunteering and promoting body positivity to my community.
What is one piece of advice you would give to today’s students?
Enjoy every experience at Dickinson, the good and the bad, as they are all building blocks for your future. Explore different classes and step outside of your circle to meet new people. The world is giant outside of Dickinson, but our Dickinson community is so close-knit that you'll never feel alone. Network from within.
Richards is one of the thousands of donors helping Dickinson provide a scholarship to every student who needs one through the Campaign for Scholarships: Change a Life—Change the World. To learn more about the campaign, visit www.dickinson.edu/change.
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Published January 26, 2022