Hobart and William Smith Colleges

In this special edition of This Week in Photos, students share their favorite spots on campus. Allie Feder ’22 (right) loves to sit on the South Main Street benches and take in the view of Seneca Lake. “This view is actually right outside my house and it makes me so happy I get to see it every morning. This is one of favorite places on campus because it is so unique to HWS, and it’s a quiet place to do work and spend time by the lake.” She is joined by Olivia Badertscher ‘22.

Hobart Football player Blake Hansen ’23 enjoys training in the Thomas B. Poole '61 and Family Sports Dome. “The dome is totally state of the art. I love waking up and not having to practice in the cold or the rain. When I walk in, I’m ready to practice and get to work.”

Mimi Smith ’21, a STEM Scholar at the Colleges, has found a second home in the lab at the Finger Lakes Institute. The FLI is a special place on campus for me, marking both the beginning and end of my research career at HWS. I studied aquatic biology in the lab as a first year and now I am conducting my honors research.”

After hitting the Warren Hunting Smith Library, Rory Allen ’23 grabs a cup of coffee from ABP (Au Bon Pain) and relaxes in the Adirondack chairs. “I spend time there with friends, study, enjoy a coffee, or just plain laze around on a beautiful day. It’s the perfect place to escape the buzz of campus life.”

As a dancer, Emily Tang's '24 classes are often held in Deming Theatre in the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts, where she practices lyrical, jazz and ballet.

John Maloney '24 and Jesse Whelan Small '24 collaborate in the Warren Hunting Smith Library. Their favorite place to study is a carrel they call “Marvin’s Room,” named in honor of Professor Emeritus of History Marvin Bram.

Cyclist, cross country runner and mathematics major, Jonathan Garcia '23 has explored the greater Geneva, N.Y. area by bike. I've developed a strong connection to the Geneva community, he says.

Bethany Kharrazi '21, a Geoscience major, stands in her favorite place, the Geoscience Department in Lansing Hall. She has conducted research on Finger Lakes water quality and blue green algae with Professor John Halfman.

Hugh Nick Mckenny '20 MAT '21 sits in his favorite study spot, the basement of Merritt Hall. The friendliness and availability of the Education Department who are always willing to share their knowledge and offer guidance makes it my favorite place.

Morgan Murphy '22, an Elizabeth Blackwell Scholar at the Colleges, studies in the Blackwell Room. I was honored to receive the Blackwell scholarship, and studying in the Blackwell Room reminds me of my goals in science at HWS and beyond. The beautiful stained glass windows and historical paintings and plaques around the room remind me that many William Smith women have sat where I am sitting before, and the quiet and comfortable space allows me to focus on my studies and lose track of time.

Samantha Foulk '22 also enjoys studying in the Blackwell Room. In the stained glass window, figures such as Bishop John Henry Hobart, William Shakespeare and Washington Irving are immortalized.

Kevin Lima '23 hangs out at his favorite place on campus, the patio outside ABP. It's a prime spot for running into people, he says.

Julyssa Winters '24 relaxes in the kitchenette at Houghton House. With multiple courses on the arts campus, Winters says its important to have a space to grab a snack between class. And the kitchenette is cozier than any classroom, she says.

Matthew Nusom '23 snags a frisbee on the Quad. Especially during the pandemic, it's been great to have a space to get outside and be with your friends, he says.

Isabella Pardales ’21 gets creative in the studio spaces at the Katherine D. Elliot Studio Arts Center. “Elliot is a place I would go for hours at a time, but that is the nature of a studio. You go there and lose yourself in your work. It is a place filled with light, color, and creativity. Not to mention one of the quietest spots on campus,” she says.