4/20/12
…..A Morning
Centennial Event
What a day of
events! More like a stroll down memory lane as I walked The University of
Memphis campus. Some things changed but many things---were just the same.
No
longer do young ladies have to wear a trench coat to cover themselves if they
are wearing shorts to their gym class. Old Scates Hall is still pretty. Our UM
Liles graduates brick in front of Scates is much worn from trampling of many
students and that’s a good thing. Mynders dorm still has the wrap porch where
friends once got caught “spying” on a cute football player---I got so tickled,
I left my mark right there in the grass. Jones Hall where I stood by as Janie
B. steamed open a letter from D. B.’s girlfriend before putting it into his
box. (Isn’t that a federal offense?) Rawls hall 5th floor window
that housed Molly Guard and me the semester before she married Nick. The 4th
floor window where Winslow and I were roomies and wrote notes on our windows
for the world to see. Also where W
helped me climb in a back window when I was late for a Sunday night sign in. Of
course, she had already signed me in. Not very spiritual--- but crazy, fun
memories just the same.
What a day of
events! More like a stroll down memory lane as I walked The University of
Memphis campus. Some things changed but many things---were just the same. 
No
longer do young ladies have to wear a trench coat to cover themselves if they
are wearing shorts to their gym class. Old Scates Hall is still pretty. Our UM
Liles graduates brick in front of Scates is much worn from trampling of many
students and that’s a good thing. Mynders dorm still has the wrap porch where
friends once got caught “spying” on a cute football player---I got so tickled,
I left my mark right there in the grass. Jones Hall where I stood by as Janie
B. steamed open a letter from D. B.’s girlfriend before putting it into his
box. (Isn’t that a federal offense?) Rawls hall 5th floor window
that housed Molly Guard and me the semester before she married Nick. The 4th
floor window where Winslow and I were roomies and wrote notes on our windows
for the world to see. Also where W
helped me climb in a back window when I was late for a Sunday night sign in. Of
course, she had already signed me in. Not very spiritual--- but crazy, fun
memories just the same.
Not very
spiritual came to mind because the reason I was on campus was an invitation as
the former “Religion Editor” of the 1960s weekly campus newspaper the Tiger
Rag. At that point in time, I
probably had more of a religiosity than a relationship with the Lord. Church
attendance kept me “accountable” and I was more likely to be in church for some godly insurance on the
Sunday before a BIG test than out
of desire for truth.
Today, I joined
other editors, photographers, etc. from those earlier years of the school’s
publications and sat in on Otis Sanford’s “Diversity and Society” class. I was
the only female visitor and I imagine the only one who had not pursued a journalism
degree. Frankly, I probably did more writing with grants for Shelby County
Schools than I even did as a member of that newspaper staff. As I recall, I put
in schedules of events and “happenings” at the different “faith houses” on
campus. Baptist Student Union, Hillel for my Jewish friends, Barth House for
Episcopalians, Wesley House for Methodist students and I’m sure a Catholic one
but I don’t remember an exact name. College students, according to my frosh
roomie, (Carolyn ? from Collierville, a town foreign to this KY gal) only read faith
news to see when there would be free food events.
The day’s
lecture in a large lecture hall, a far cry from the cramped classroom we had in
the basement of the old administration building, was “How Traditional Media is
to Survive.” Mr. Sanford was a great prof---easy to listen to, with organized
handouts which included practical tips and a visual presentation which ended on a positive note. He engaged the students in learning,
accepted their thoughts, challenged their thinking and I gleaned much from the
dialogue of the students themselves.
Today’s students’
reading habits have that same basis as readers of the old Tiger Rag---they just
read for the info they want or need. It’s just rarely in a static form---most
only know digital access these. Only wanting to be given the specific news they
desire, they’d rather get it from twitter or a downloadable news or sports app. Bits
of news between tweets and texts seems adequate.
I really did
enjoy his class and the last words, I heard Mr. Sanford say to a student,
though I don’t know the context, were “in spirit and in truth. And that comes
from the Bible.” How right you are, Mr. Sanford. Those words are perfect words
for an exiting religion editor, who today knows those words as a definition of
true worship and that’s a real cause to celebrate.
AN AFTERNOON
CENTENNIAL EVENT (“Stan the Man” was there.)
The unveiling of
the Bronze Statue of Tom the Tiger with hubby was a fun way to celebrate along
with others before traipsing off to lunch together. Rarely do the two of us
have that privilege. That too is a reason to celebrate.
Posting pix so
you other Memphis State/University of Memphis grads can get a glimpse of your campus. You’d be proud.
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| If you've forgotten the "Fight Song" words, they're written here. "Go Tigers go....." |
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| Facing Manning Hall where those old science labs were once housed. |
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| Signage by Panhellenic Building---not sure what it is now. Pi Phi and other sororities have their own houses elsewhere on campus. |
CELEBRATORY
NIGHT
4/20/12 Oh what
a night---Temptations Revue---centennial event---well, not exactly but as
friend Doris said, “I thought they were all dead.” (or at least 100 yrs. old,
maybe) Dennis was only one of the originals along with the son of original
Temptation, Paul Williams. All still had the “moves” and could belt out that
Motown sound, along with my favorite, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” Hubby and I
danced in the aisle on that one. Of course we did, that’s the rule!! A
toe-tapping way to end a day of celebrations! |
| The unmistakable sound of "Motown"---the best beat and doo-wap music for "bop" steps. |
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