I am fortunate enough to actually live literally two miles from the campus of Wake Forest University, where I was fortunate enough to attend school. Regularly, I do back to campus. In fact, I actually seek excuses to go back to campus.
I am proud of the efforts that the university has made to become more diverse and to make more of a presence in the community. The motto “Pro Humanitate” seems to have taken a deeper hold in the school culture. The university’s outreach into the Winston-Salem community has been more deliberate.
However, walking on campus there are some glaring changes that come along with growing and adapting to a 21st Century global society. Yet, there are still some things that I remember from my time at Wake that may truly be unique to my fellow middle-aged, but young in spirit Demon Deacons.
- The smell of tobacco in the air from RJR at the end of a day of class.
- The Snack Pit.
- The law school was on Manchester Plaza before it was Manchester Plaza.
- All home ACC-basketball games were in Greensboro.
- You walked up steps to get into the library.
- The computer labs (Vegas) only had Macs.
- When Rodney Rogers and Randolph Childress walked onto campus.
- The “Grapple in the Chapel” presidential debate of ’88.
- There were no sororities – just societies.
- Doctor’s notes to have an air-conditioner in your window.
- Dr. Smiley walking on campus.
- Dr. Wilson’s classes full on Friday afternoons.
- Project Pumpkin started.
- There was a road through Davis field.
- Trays from the Pit used as sleds when it snowed.
- Concerts in Wait Chapel.
- Pizza Hut came to campus.
- Movies were shown on DeTamble.
- Ed Christman knew your name.
- Dorm rooms got actual phone jacks.
- The ACC had only teams that were actually on the Atlantic Coast.
- No one knew the Alma Mater except “Dear Old Wake Forest” and “Mother So Dear.”
- No last names on football jerseys.
- Singing performances during Greek Week.
- Beginning of the year scrambling for Freshman chapbooks.
- Human Sexuality (Psychology class) surveys released.
- Magic Mouthwash.
Stu,
For some reason I thought of the snack pit, googled it, and your post was on the first page of results.
ILARMB
Roger
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I think of the snack pit ALL OF THE TIME and my arteries constrict in the most loving ways. Good to hear from you.
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