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Wil Smith was 27 when he enrolled as a freshman at Bowdoin College in Maine.
But his age wasn’t the only thing that set him apart from his classmates. When Wil set off for school he had his infant daughter, Olivia, in tow.
Now a teenager, Olivia sat down with her dad to look back on their college days.
Wil and Olivia recorded this conversation shortly after he was diagnosed with colon cancer.
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Piece Description
Wil Smith was 27 when he enrolled as a freshman at Bowdoin College in Maine.
But his age wasn’t the only thing that set him apart from his classmates. When Wil set off for school he had his infant daughter, Olivia, in tow.
Now a teenager, Olivia sat down with her dad to look back on their college days.
Wil and Olivia recorded this conversation shortly after he was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Broadcast History
NPR's Morning Edition June 15, 2012
Transcript
Wil Smith (WS): I wasn’t planning on having you as my roommate. I actually thought that if Bowdoin College knew I had you they wouldn’t let me come to college. So, I hadn’t mentioned it to anyone. And, I got a job at Staples, cleaning at night. And I had to take you in with me at work sometimes and hide you in the closet. [Laughs] I think I lost something like 27 pounds, just from stress, and not eating, because I didn’t have enough for both of us. My basketball teammates were my first babysitters. I just remember coming from class and there were four giant guys and then there was this 18-month-old who was tearing up the room. [laughs]
Olivia Smith (OS): Were you ever embarrassed bringing me to class? Or just having me in general?
WS: I felt a little awkward, but never embarrassed. There were times when the only way I could get through was to come in and look at you, and see you slee...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:Time now for StoryCorps -- recording conversations between loved ones…
Today -- the education of a single dad.
Wil Smith was 27 when he enrolled as a freshman at Bowdoin College in Maine.
But his age wasn't the only thing that set him apart from his classmates…
When Wil set off for school he had his infant daughter, Olivia, in tow.
Now a teenager… Olivia sat down with her dad… to look back on their college days.
OUTRO:Wil Smith with his daughter, Olivia, at StoryCorps in Sheffield, Massachusetts.
They recorded this conversation shortly after Wil was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Their interview will be archived at the Library of Congress...
And you can watch StoryCorps' newest animated film at NPR.org.
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flax | Fredrik | Trilogi. | Kora Records | 2010 | 00:27 |
Additional Credits
Capella University
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