Mary Ellen Rathbun Kolb '46, from Hoosick Falls, New York describes her college experience as one of the first female students admitted to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The first interview proceeds chronologically, beginning with Mary's early school days. She describes her typical childhood experiences and interest in science, and her experience being at Bradford Junior College in Haverhill, Massachusetts. The interview continues with Mary's descriptions of typical college antics at RPI, places she lived such as Russell Sage College in downtown Troy, and the atmosphere of campus during World War II. The second interview focuses on commencement and beyond. Mary describes more of her college experience and some of the work she did after college. The interviewers share several images with Mary, prompting further discussion.

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