Molly Bradshaw Boed '87

From the moment I stepped onto Lawrence’s campus in 1983–on my 18th birthday–I fell in love with Lawrence’s beautiful campus. I quickly felt at home living in the old and creaky, yet charming, Ormsby third-floor T-wing. I was shy but so grateful for friendly Lawrentians who greeted me and some who soon became my good friends. Freshman Studies started off my academic studies well with its vibrant class discussion and writing and then re-writing of my papers. But that was only the gentle beginning. My time at Lawrence was certainly like a winding and hilly road, full of superb academic classes, but also full of so much living life and growing in a million different directions. After Freshman Studies, I felt more confident participating in class discussion and learned how to articulate my ideas better on paper, but another early class, statistics, brought me to my knees and showed me that my studies won’t simply be re-writing paragraphs to clarify my ideas. I would learn that I do have weaknesses and I would need to seek help! And, that this help is available and encouraged to seek out at Lawrence. Five weeks into the term, I felt completely overwhelmed and terrified that I was just not able to complete what I thought was a standard course. I approached Professor Long with great trepidation, and he helped me patiently through the rest of the class during his office hours until I did grasp “statistics”. Through studying and all of his additional guidance, I gained confidence and prevailed with a much better understanding of statistics, but more importantly, thankfulness that I had an understanding professor who cared enough to help me as much as I needed it. This would encourage me to boldly consider other challenging classes with the understanding that I am up to the challenge when I am willing to seek help and persevere. Lawrence’s off-campus opportunities also appealed to me and were some of my most memorable times (both highs and lows!) while I was at Lawrence. I studied in Tours, France, and was thrilled to arrive early and I was looking forward to having an extra month to acclimate to life in France...that is, until I contracted mononucleosis and was very ill and all on my own. Through the kindness of students from the Institute whom I had only just met, they helped me find a doctor. I then struggled to articulate my illness to the doctor in my inexperienced French. I was treated but still also had to speak with the lady I lived with (who was not sympathetic once I became ill and unable to eat her delicious food) and try to explain to her what illness I had and why I could not eat her food! I can say that it was not a high point when my “madame” told me “Vous êtes faible” (You are feeble!). Thankfully, I did survive, and I was so grateful to join our Lawrence group and Professor Reed when they arrived! My body healed eventually, and I grew by handling a difficult situation under duress. And then I also had a fabulous time experiencing the culture around me and trying to speak French. Vive La France! These two snippets from my past do not fully describe my Lawrence experience, but the examples remind me that I am blessed to have had my Lawrence education with understanding professors and so many mind-expanding opportunities to develop. I am inspired to continue in the Lawrence tradition to follow the light and make a positive difference as I reflect on life nearly 40 years later. There’s certainly more light to pursue!