Hello, my name is Melissa and I am a Carson Newman history freak. Let's just be honest and call it what it is. But can you blame me? My family has a VERY long attachment there, with graduates spanning the decades from the 1950s to the 2000s. I tried to make a list in my head of every one of my aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.... but I am sure I missed a few. The most notable and influential ones being, of course, my mommy and daddy!
They graduated in 1964, and when I started in 1985 the college was still very similar in many ways to how it was then. I mean, since that time, the gym was new, Stokely was new, Henderson was on its 3rd round, and Swann had another renovation. And I'm sure there were other changes also, but they were all physical changes. Many of the professors who were there during the 1960s were still teaching and I loved having that bond with them, like Dr. Turner, Dr. Burts, Dr. Vanaman and others. I was just so excited to be a part of CN history and carry on that tradition.
One memory I will remember to this day is during freshman orientation. We were all gathered in Gentry hearing welcoming speeches, etc from the president and others, when dear old Dr. Harley Fite hobbled up the podium. Now, for those of you who don't know, Dr. Fite was the president while my parents were there and was such an amazing man they named the admin building after him. Anyhow, I don't remember too much of what he said, but I do remember this. He was talking about how he claimed as his children the students he had during his tenure as president and how several of us in the audience were the children of those students, thus making us his CN grandchildren. Me! A CN grandchild of Dr. Harley Fite!! Well, that right there just put me over the edge!!
Last weekend was my 25th reunion. I still can't believe it has been 25 years!! I had the amazing opportunity to bring my children and, bless their hearts, they put up with me and all my stories. (No eyeballs were permanently damaged, I'm happy to report!) We arrived Friday afternoon in time for a college visit for Rebecca, who could care less about going to CN (breaks my momma heart, but Leah and Katie want to go so there is hope!!) but it was really great to have a guide walk us through campus to see all the changes, all the new stuff and a glimpse of the old. (And it was good for Rebecca, so we at least have a base to compare other colleges to!)
Friday night we went to the show, Children of Eden, which was just so amazingly awesome I don't even have words for it.
Saturday when we got to campus I had all three girls and we walked our little legs off!! (It really is amazing that despite how "small" CN is, the fact that it is somewhat hilly and the fact that I am now 47 years old, well, let's just say I was pooped!!) But we took Katie around to the places we went before and went in several buildings and up and down stairs and had a fabulous day! While it was a little bit sad to see all the changes made, making it not as much what it was when I was there, or when my parents were there, it was exciting to see how they blend the old with the new. While we were there we saw tons of things that were new, but then we would go in a building that had been around, and some things still looked the same.
So the good news is, despite the fact that it is now a "high and mighty university" it still has the feel of the college I went to.
OLD: This sign is still in the Baker Building. It took some hunting but I found it! When my parents went there, the cafeteria was in this building and as the story goes, the line for food would go down the stairs by this plaque. (I believe it is downstairs on the North West side) So, while they were waiting, everyone would rub on the 1 of the 13 in the date, thus wearing out just that letter. I made my girls do it too!!
OLD: Sweet Sarah Swann is still there, many many many years later. Interesting and sad note: No one is allowed to go out on the balcony anymore. I thought someone got in trouble, but apparently the structure and foundation is just too old to support all the craziness that might or might not have happened there.
NEW: Alas, sweet Swann sisters, remember those awesome big rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors by the top of the stairs? In the latest renovation, they reconfigured and instead made these huge study areas that stretch across the whole area. (See how hard those two girls are studying?) Snazzy leather and soft sofas, table around to study around or write papers, gas fireplaces, aahhh.... Interesting note: I did not find the old typewriter room!
OLD: Girls still love to have their pictures made in the window on the landing and on the stairs!!
NEW: See this cool chick in this cool place? She is hanging out in the new Maples Cafe. Think Panera and Starbucks combined in the perfect library setting!! Interesting note: While the cafeteria is still the popular choice for students to eat, since it is all you can eat with your ID card; your card also entitles you to $100 Eagle Bucks to spend here and at the NEW CHICKFILA on campus!!
OLD and NEW: Carson Newman will ALWAYS have a near and dear place in my heart!!!
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