My Trip to Gustavus

Hal writes:

Every fall I have returned to my alma mater for Leadership Day (previously known as Class Agents Day). My friend Cassie and I represent the Class of 2001 and each fall we are invited back to campus for alumni related meetings. This year Cassie was unable to attend, but we will both be back in October for our 5-year reunion.

During my time on campus I found myself to be very reflective. The first couple of times that I returned, I would run into friends in the classes below me that still attended school. But as the years went on, I knew less and less of the students. Even the faculty and staff have changed during my absence and I do not know as many people. I spent time walking across campus conjuring up memories of my four years at Gustavus. Here is a picture that I took of the entrance of campus.

Here is a photo of the Adolphson House. I lived here my junior year with other FCA friends. Mookie and I lasted the year, but Karena, Ali, Luke, Candi, Signe, and Katie all lived with us at some point during the year. The window on the far right was my bedroom window second semester. There are lots of memories that I have from that house, but the one that stood out when I saw the window is when I finished my Political Science thesis on my 21st birthday. I took a lot of breaks staring out the window looking at Old Main for some inspiration.

(Sorry, for some reason this photo won't load...)

When I arrived on campus Friday afternoon, I stopped by to see Charlie (Director of Res Life), Patti (Asst. Dean of Students), Mark (Dir. of Admissions), and Brian (Chaplain) to find out that nobody was around. On a whim I walked over to the fine arts building and was suprised to find two of my profs, Terry and Lea, in the Communication Studies office. I had a great time catching up with both of them. Terry is running to be a representative in the next Minnesota legislature session and Lea is now chair of the department.

I was also able to spend some time at Brenda and Scott's house. They have a daughter that is two years old. Anna and I met her last year when she was newly adopted from China. Since that time, her vocabulary has dramatically increased and it was fun to play games and sing songs with her. I didn't get any pictures this time, but perhaps when Anna and I stay with the family in October we will get some.