That’s the last line of the University of Arkansas “Alma Mater,” and as we sing it, it has become a tradition to point to Old Main.
I was reminded that classes for the fall semester started at the UofA this week when one of the Arkansas Alumni Association employees posed a question on Facebook. “Do you remember your first college class?” she asked.
While I don’t remember my first class, I do remember what classes I took—freshman English, biology, a four-hour honors math class, western civ and P.E. I registered the last hour of the last day of registration. That was back in the day when you had to stand in line for computer cards. Often a class would be closed when you wanted it, so you would have to take it at a different time, which would then conflict with another class, so you had to start juggling class cards.
I had a terrible schedule. The “highlight” was western civ at 7:30 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Yes, you read that right. It was the only “C” I made in my entire college career.
I had a wonderful college experience—lived in Fulbright Hall with half the other freshmen women (no coed dorms in those days). The other half lived in Hotz Hall, which was right next door, and we all ate in the same cafeteria. I pledged Kappa my sophomore year (freshman girls couldn’t go through rush in those days) and lived in the Kappa house for three years.
That was 45 years ago. Sometimes I wish I could do it all again.
5 comments:
I like the tradition of pointing to Old Main as we sing the last line of the Alma Mater. But for the life of me, I don't remember doing that when I was in school. I was there just shortly after you were. I came to the U of A the summer before my Junior year, in 1970.
You are correct. We did not do that "back in the day."
One of my friends from high school (with whom I've reconnected on FB) dropped his kid off at Penland Hall, Baylor, Waco, and there's a picture of his Mom---who was quite the hottie back in the day, and is still very attractive---and him in the room. They've painted the -hideous- TANGERINE bulletin board and pegboard (pegboard wall, so you could hang something?) chocolate brown, and there's a new light fixture, but otherwise it looks IDENTICAL to my old room at 245 Penland. I don't remember my first schedule, but I ABSOLUTELY remember registration. As Kathy points out, it involved the "stand in the middle of the gym and crane your neck" method. You stood in line for hours to get into the dang thing (and I registered the last day too), then stood in line for each class. Of course, they were out of the one you wanted, but they had Dr. Death for whatever at 7:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which necessitated moving American Lit (I placed out of Freshman Comp) to 7:30 MWF--so I had 7:30 classes every day, and morning is NOT my best time of day. Of course, my other classes were spaced just evenly enough to leave an hour or two gap here and there---not enough time to DO anything, but just enough time to mess up your day. Let's see, American Lit, Tennis (I took tennis all 4 years, hard to believe I used to actually be pretty good), Accounting I, Freshman Calculus (with Dr. Rolf, groan), Old Testament, and Chapel. And I PLEDGED, too, first semester of freshman year. Gerry Dunlap, my neighbor down the hall, dragged me to rush. I chatted with him the other night on facebook....
Aaah! Those were the days, Kathy! People say HS is the best but I had more fun in College. John and I are going to Ann Arbor, U of M, (his alma mater) to watch a football game soon and I know he is looking forward to it....Christine
I'm not sure when that tradition started. We did not do that when I was there...oh wait, you were there then as well:) I kinda' miss "whole hog, half ham" and Dixie, too. Bid day was Sunday - delayed from Saturday due to weather. I get by the house on occasion, but not so much now that E isn't active. I do have several former students who are there so I stay somewhat in touch. Of course, I'm in Fayetteville as much as possible to see the perfect ones. Are you coming to LR?
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