Harry Potter was my childhood, and I still love it. Who wouldn't want to go to a magical school where you learn fun things like Transfiguration? Maybe we don't have Transfiguration at Murray State, but we do have some things that are reminiscent of Hogwarts and that make our school home.
1. Residential Colleges
Each residential hall (otherwise known as a dorm) has a residential college which includes commuters and professors. These colleges are kind of like the Hogwarts houses. They each have an animal mascot like Richmond's lion or Hart's raven. They each have specific color combinations like Springer/Franklin's green and white. They even each have college crests which appear on clothes, in their residential halls, and on their flags.
2. Banners in Winslow
The food might not be as great as we imagine food at Hogwarts would be, but Winslow definitely reminds me of the Great Hall. It's all you can eat, sometimes the residential colleges have dinners together with faculty, and it has banners of each residential college's crest.
3. College Heads
College Heads are typically professors who give up some of their free time to work with their residential college. Their job is pretty similar to Hogwarts Heads of Houses like Professor McGonagall who advises and helps Gryffindor house.
4. An iconic tree on campus
The Shoe Tree isn't quite as dangerous as the Whomping Willow, though lightening has struck it. Everyone who goes to Murray State or tours it knows about the Shoe Tree tradition (you and your spouse put a shoe on the tree if you met at Murray State and got married) just like everyone at Hogwarts knows not to get too close to the Whomping Willow.
5. Quidditch
Though we don't have an official team, several organizations on campus have hosted muggle Quidditch games. For example, the Honors College has hosted a few games and Richmond College had a game that was rained out. Unlike at Hogwarts, we don't play when it's raining or snowy.
6. Intramural Sports
Intramural sports at Murray State pit residential colleges against each other in friendly sports games similar to how the houses compete in Quidditch. The only difference is that the Hogwarts Houses compete for the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup where as the residential colleges compete for trophies for intramural sports and different awards throughout the year.
7. Isolated Location
Similar to Hogwarts, Murray is pretty isolated. The city of Murray is around the college just like Hogsmeade is near Hogwarts, but other than that, there's at least a thirty-minute drive to the next city.
8. The Stables
At Hogwarts, students are encouraged to bring pets. You can even house your owl in the Owlery a short walk from the castle. At Murray State, for the most part, your dog or cat can't live with you on campus, but you can house your horse in the stables a short drive down the road.
9. Mysterious Rumored Tunnels
Everyone has heard of the secret tunnels underneath Murray State, but, to my knowledge, it's unclear if they're real or a rumor. Similarly, everyone has heard of the Chamber of Secrets at Hogwarts, but no one knew if it really existed until Harry Potter found the entrance.
10. Beautiful Lake Nearby
Though Murray State doesn't overlook Kentucky Lake like Hogwarts overlooks the Black Lake, Land Between the Lakes is still close enough to visit on a day trip. Plus, in Kentucky Lake you don't have to worry about Merpeople or a Giant Squid.
Hogwarts may be awesome, but Murray State University, with it's traditions and amazing campus, is home.
