Gustavus!

Is it too late to post Gustavus reunion photos? I hope not, because it's happening. (It has been a long and busy month for us, so we're a bit behind the times.) 

Gustavus celebrated three milestones this year: 150 years as a college, 50 years of Christ Chapel, and 10 years since Nicole grabbed her degrees and got out of town. Each of these events deserves a celebration. The major draw for us in attending this year's reunion was the Wedding Jubilee. All those married at Christ Chapel between 1962 and 2012 were invited to a celebration in their honor, which included portions of a mass, songs and a homily, a light lunch and wedding cake, and - of course - a large group photo that will probably appear in a future issue of the Quarterly.

The weather on that Saturday was actually much the same as when we were married, six short years ago.

This is the cross as it was found, having survived the tornado of 1998.

Not much has changed for us over the past six wonderful years. We're still as good-looking as ever!

Our wedding reception lunch was held at the new Beck Hall, a lovely building for the social sciences that perhaps could have convinced me to take a business class or two. 

Returning to campus never seems awkward or strange. Gustavus has always felt very cozy to me, which was probably the driving force for me to attend. I always feel like I was just here, and with so many of my classmates making their way across campus during the reunion, it's even more of a reminder of how casual my days used to be and how small my whole world was. I had everything I needed and nothing more than that.

Of course, the campus has gone through many changes over the past 10 years. The newest addition, and a great one at that, is the Sesquicentennial Plaza between Olin, Nobel, Christ Chapel, and the library. I used to cut across that lawn so many times that it's nice someone finally decided to make it official.

I am aware that the newest sculpture is distinctly not meant to evoke the tornado that tore apart the campus just ahead of my first year, but with with its sweeping, twisting curves, how could it represent anything but that tornado? Maybe we were too caught up in the destruction and rebuilding years to stand back and see something else. Regardless, I love, love, love this plaza, the sculpture, and the timeline etched along the walkway. These kids and their fancy sidewalks are so lucky.

Another highlight of my college years - the bakery case in the cafeteria. Still looks exactly the same.

Gustie finds from the Book Mark.

Go Gusties!?

I finally got to tour the tunnels! Unfortunately, they were the new, polished tunnels underneath Beck Hall, and they cost me $5. I left my name on the wall for all future generations to laugh at.

Memories of science with Marlene and Alison.

Surprisingly, my old undergraduate summer research project is still on display in the back hallways of Nobel. If that doesn't prove that Nobel should be up for the next renovation, then I don't know what does. 

I loved this project. Just counting flowers all day!
(There was more to to the project than that, of course, but that was my strongest memory.)

Point number two for a renovation: Why does Nobel Hall of Science have only one sad little evergreen welcoming future scientists? This building should be surrounded by life!

This one is for you, Adam.

The original Gus.

This is a little closer to the actual library experience.

We call this one, "Good Cop, Bad Cop".

Adam brought out his best Bill Holm impression for the frisbee crowd. Bill Holm was the commencement speaker, somewhat, for our rain-delayed circus of a graduation ceremony.

And, of course, a night at Patrick's. We have plenty more photos where these came from, but the rest would probably require a waiver before posting online.

This blank wall (formerly the Community Service Center closet) was where Adam and I met over 14 years ago. Although it still took a few more years to actually go out on a date, the original missed connection was right here. (Brief OMG moment, but I cannot believe we have known each other that long! Life is bliss.)

This is totally something I would have done had I come across wet cement.

Congratulations on your first 150 years!