Lesley University

Barbara Barron Schilling, '50LC and '78G

It is an honor for me to participate in the celebration of Lesley's one-hundredth year, by relating briefly on how Lesley has influenced my life.

I entered Lesley in 1948 as a transfer student from my freshman year at Beaver College in Pennsylvania. My first grade teacher, a Lesley grad, highly recommended Lesley. She felt that it would be a perfect fit for me. Although many Lesley students commuted at that time, I benefited by living in one of the dormitories that were then in large neighborhood houses. This association of dormitory life, living with some of my classmates and our "house mother," who was the college nurse, all helped me "grow up" and become a woman ready to enter the real world. The faculty in the tightly knit Lesley College campus were instructive, challenging and supportive.

In addition to what I learned academically, the three undergraduate years changed me from a shy student to a confident, mature young woman. I was proud to be elected and serve as President of the Student Government.

During my undergraduate summers, I volunteered at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and the Beth Israel Hospital. After I graduated, I was Assistant Personnel Director at the Beth Israel Hospital, where I interacted with physicians, nurses, administrators and hospital employees. My close contact with Lesley was interrupted by eight years in Baltimore, where my medical oncologist husband and I raised our three young daughters.

Upon returning to Massachusetts, I resumed close contact with Lesley as a member of the Alumni Association; subsequently on the Board of Directors and later as President. After leaving the Board of Directors, I have continued a close association with the Lesley Alumni that still exists.

I trained at Children's Hospital in Special Education for Learning Disabled Students, leading to tutoring at Natick and Needham public schools. I returned to Lesley for my Master's Degree in Special Education. After teaching Special Education at Needham Schools, I worked at Middlesex Community College in a research program in special education, similar to the Threshold Program at Lesley. I then entered the counseling department where I assisted students in transferring to four-year colleges, including Lesley, Wellesley, Tufts and others. After retiring, I have maintained close interest in and contact with Lesley, which continues my devoted relationship with the University.

Over and above my undergraduate and master degree years at the college, I have had a life-long relationship and devotion to Lesley, which has continued to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Profile written by Barbara Barron Schilling, B.S. Education, 1950; M.S. Special Education, 1978.