We have all gotten emails reading: "Come see this guest speaker" or "Attend the opening of our new exhibition" and "Calling all writers to submit work to the newspaper." Every time I turn around, I gain new appreciation for all of the unique and interesting organizations, people and places that make Ursinus what it is. Here's my list of fun and great elements of our school that tend to go unnoticed. Note: The order of this list does not reflect a prioritization of each item and exists solely for organizational purposes.
1. The amazing, dedicated and overworked people who make up cleaning services, food services and facilities.
Oh the horrors you have seen. Every day you greet us with a smile as you clean up some student's vomit (again) or individually hand us silverware so we don't perpetuate the plague, and change the lightbulb in our dorm rooms because we can't reach. Even when we call you because our AC unit sounds like a monster from out of this world, you don't make us feel stupid or silly. You don't judge us (well at least openly) for some of our destructive tendencies.
Most importantly, you're here before we wake up, and a lot of times even after we have fallen asleep. Next time you see a staff member, tell them thank you and perhaps ask them how their day is.
2. The Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art (a.k.a. The Berman)
Seriously, we have a museum on campus. For a small college in the suburbs, that's freaking awesome. Not only do you get to see all sorts of artwork and even get to hear from the artists, but you, yes I mean you (students) can even have your work featured there. How cool is that? They have a student exhibition every year just so we can express ourselves. I've gotten to attend exhibition openings with a bar and adults from a community to talk about art. We too can be like people in movies who attend posh art galleries. And luckily for us, it's only a few steps from the dining hall.
3. Art and sculptures outdoors and in academic buildings
We have our own copy of the "Love" statue which is found all over the country in cities like Philadelphia and even New York City. Some of which are so lifelike they literally scare the heck out of you at night. We also have two CIE paintings depicting classical scenes with faces of students and faculty (hanging in Olin). We also get to try to convince our CIE professors which statue represents the "The Epic of Gilgamesh." Not many people get to see and experience artwork 24/7, even when we are stumbling back from Reimert.
4. Small departments and faculty
Even though this should be obvious, I'm not sure that some of us get this. Your professors know who you are by the time you graduate. They send you cool articles, and some can even become friends and/or allies. They invite you to talks and send you their latest work. And a few fortunate students are allowed help them with their work. On top of all of this, they want you to tell them what you think of perspective hires for the department. They care which candidates connected with both the school and with the current students. And if you decide to go on to graduate school, they are more than ready to write your recommendations and help you go to the best programs for the cheapest price.
5. Guest speakers
For a small school, we have had some amazing and down to Earth guests who have come to our classes and outside lectures. And if it relates to your department, you could be invited to dinner with such esteemed guests and faculty. I have been lucky enough to meet three documentary filmmakers, two independent filmmakers, an artist who makes bird models and even photographers who have documented various people and places around the world. This is just the tip of the iceberg, folks. These departments and groups are not sending these emails for their health, you actually might learn something.
6. Student voice outlets (newspaper, literary magazine, radio station, to name a few)
Yes all colleges (that I'm aware of) have newspapers. However, The Grizzly desperately wants students' input. If you want to write about events, sports, opinions and more, this is the place for you. For those of you interested in more creative writing then The Lantern is the literary magazine for you. From short stories, poems and even drawings, this carefully compiled issue features amazing and sometimes unexpected work from students. If writing is not your forte, then perhaps you'd appreciate the radio station. Named WVOU, this station allows for students to sign up for time slots throughout the semester to talk, play music or perhaps combine the two. Literally if you wanted to have a talk show with your best friend, they will let you. I know that two of the three groups (newspaper and radio) are located in the feared and perhaps haunted Ritter. Do not let this stop you from developing and spreading your perspective with the Ursinus community.
College is what you make of it. And now in the second semester of my junior year, it is going by fast. It's not very often that you will make such great relationships or have access to such a variety of information. And so I leave you with Ferris Bueller.
