Marshall Stories
David Cox ’83
I lived across the street from Marshall; the house on the left of Sylvania Ave., looking from Marshall. Circa 1973 to 1975 I would dribble my basketball across the street to the house on the other side to use their court, and some of the co-eds would call out to me as I did so, with a specific nickname they bestowed upon me. I will believe it was you if you can tell me the nickname! (after 2 years credit at UVA I finished at MWC with a B.S. in CompSci, 1983.)
In 1975, my brother and I streaked across Sunken Road below Russell dorm. What an ovation! My brother ran up to the woods behind Marshall to put his clothes on, I made the mistake of running up to the front door of my house as my mother’s bridge club came running out to see what the commotion was. Whoops!
Brenna Potter ’20
I remember doing early arrival program as a freshman. I was assigned to live in Marshall Hall and was terrified that I knew nobody on day one. Luckily, I met a girl on that very first day who became my best friend and still is today. After our familes left we sat in my room sharing our sorrow of moving away from home and fears of this big next step in life. Looking back, that was the moment I knew I had made a lifelong friend and Marshall Hall started to feel like home.
The social events were absolutely wonderful when I lived in Marshall. Connecting with fellow classmates over pizza, playing yard games, and oh so many days spent basking in the sun outside while we studied. It felt like we had our own little corner of campus and it was a perfect freshman dorm experience.
Virginia Shearin ’64
Marshall was “New Dorm” in September of 1960 when some members of our class of 1964 moved in. Some rooms lacked pieces of furniture since spaces were still being furnished. And the Sunday I moved in was a rainy day. But RA’s and college staff were out in numbers helping parents move the students into their rooms. The grounds lacked landscaping so boards had been placed to cover the mud and to make walking with armloads easier. It was a mixed-class dorm with some seniors, juniors, and sophomores as well. Our suite was a freshman suite, and I enjoyed this arrangement after hearing about the accommodations in Willard and Virginia. There were formal parlors flanking the reception area leading to the head resident’s quarters with plenty of space for dorm meetings. The dorm was not named officially until later in the year. The long walk from New Dorm to DuPont Hall to my 8:30 M-Wed.-Fri Survey of World Music class followed by Spanish class, helped moderate the freshman 15. I loved it!! The seasonal changes on the campus provided such beauty to enjoy from September to May that the walk was an inspiration (most days).
There were several heavy snows during the winter of 1961 which made the hill a slippery adventure up and down. That’s when the cafeteria trays became a fun downhill sledding ride.
Carolyn Wilkins ’68
I spent my sophomore and junior years in Marshall. It was quite a trek up the hill but it was enjoyable. I remember the card to flip out and flip in when you were going out for the evening.
Poh Kam ’86
Hello, everyone! Well, not everyone. Anyone here from the class of…1986?? Yes, a bit of an old maid here but still very much young at heart. Any ARMYs out there? Yes, those Borahae ARMYs. Sorry – they’ve helped me a lot through my cancer journey (#Fighting!) – amongst other things. How are my 1986 MWC friends??? Does anyone remember me? I haven’t visited MWC – now MWU(?) – I think, since I graduated. Hadn’t had plans to travel so far to North America, since I’m from Malaysia. But now my eldest son is in Vancouver, Canada. But wow – a theatre and arts place at MWU. How cool is that? Yes, shall really miss the Marshall and Russell Halls…I used to jog in winter around the grounds at the then MWC – huffing and puffing up a steam in my hoodie. Loved it! Loved the memories. I still can see you in my mind – my friends. Used to work at Seacobeck, too. Haha. Dishwashing was so much fun with those machines that I hadn’t seen before. Anyway, anyone who remembers me from the Class of 1986 or around there in the dorms I stayed at, give me a holler, please! My email is pollykplkam@gmail.com Yes, it’s Polly Kam here. Hope to hear from you! Take care, stay safe and cheers!
Russell Stories
Childress Prietz ’72
My roommate and I spent our sophomore-Senior years in Russell. (1969-72). Chose it because we were both in the Outing Club, and we figured out that it had more storage space in the room than any other dorm. Which made it perfect for dealing with our backpacks, sleeping bags, hiking boots, etc. I guess that also meant we were fit enough not to mind walking up the hill each day…
Constance Etter ’68
Russell Hall walkway was a challenge when you were in a hurry! I lived there 66-67 and graduated a year early. When I went down those stairs, I jumped from one landing to the next, and going up I took every other step! Got my exercise!!!
My friends gave me a wedding shower in May 1967, and it was in the sitting room on my floor. I still have several items given to me and smile when I touch, use or look at them! Great memories of watching tv there and just sitting around with coffee or soda and gabbing!
There were three trees out front on Sunken Road that I would look at out the window and enjoy their color changes over the months. I wonder if they’re still there!
Louise Jargowsky ’68
3rd floor Russell, ‘65-‘68. All women, required to wear skirts to class, sign out for dates under the stern eye of the house mother, and return by curfew when the dorm was locked. . . Extra hour on weekends!
It was Vietnam war time. Many of our dates were Marines and soldiers. One night when closing time was announced, a group of military guys on the second floor balcony exploded in cheers, ran to the railing, jumped over it to the first floor and ran out. Most impressive closing during my time.
Kristen MacMillan ’08
I lived in Russell Hall from the fall of 2004 to the spring of 2007. I was a resident there my freshman year and a resident assistant there my sophomore and junior years. Freshman year is where I met my now husband, Mark MacMillan (class of 2007). He lived with an RA who happened to be in one of my math classes. I asked my classmate if I could study with him one evening so that I could do well on the last test of the semester before exams. Mark was there while we were studying. After I felt ready for the test, I started talking with Mark and we ended up talking for hours. After that, we kept running into each other. Now, 18 years later, we are married and have two beautiful daughters!
Junior ring week! I came back from lacrosse practice to get ready for Junior ring ceremony. As I walked up to my dorm room door, I noticed there was colored masking tape put across my door. I went to peel it off and found Styrofoam packing peanuts stick between my door and the tape. If that wasn’t bad enough, when I was finally able to clean it all up and get ready to take a shower, there were more packing peanuts in my bathtub AND my bathtub leaked! So, I had to clean up more packing peanuts and quickly get ready for Ring Ceremony. Keep in mind that after practice and dinner, I had about 30-45 minutes to get ready and get to Dodd, so I was pressed for time!!