The College Experience

This weekend, I attended a banquet on campus. There were a few guest speakers who talked about the great and unique programs that Indiana State University has to offer. These speakers could only see the good things that this university holds, and they seemed extremely impressed. As I sat there, I wondered if they could be on this campus every day if they would still think it was so amazing. Since I am a senior, this led me to consider the things that have really made my college experience wonderful. Many things came to mind such as my friends, family, sweet freedom, parties/social gatherings, being able to learn from professors who have had many experiences in their lives to share, etc. So what is it that everyone comes to college for? For me, it was all about getting a good education in order for me to get a job to support myself for the future. In the end, though, college has become so much more to me. I have, of course, learned so much that I hope will lead me to the brightest future possible, but along the way I have grown into a strong, intelligent, and independent person. Also, I've gained friends that I consider an extension of my family. I've experienced so much more in this one place than I will probably ever have the chance to in the rest of my life. I think everyone should take moments to reflect on the things that have really made your college experience worthwhile, and remember why this place (in my case ISU) is really so special, and why it should be treated as such with respect and pride.

Disintegration of Terre Haute

Today, in my capstone course for criminology, my professor separated us into groups to talk about social disintegration in different parts of Indiana and the country. My group just happened to get Terre Haute as our area of interest. It was sad to me, because the first thing we all said was everything has or is disintegrating in Terre Haute. It was hard to pinpoint one thing, but we did end up talking about how popular the town was back in the 20's to 40's. We discussed that many things could have caused Terre Haute's downfall. Some of the things that may have been responsible for the disintegration was Interstate 70, bad leadership (the mayor and university administration), and corruption. The big question really is why and how could a city on its way to the top suddenly be sunk?

Just as the city is going under, so is its biggest university. Although, the latest edition of the Indiana Statesman claims that enrollment is rising, the university has to claim prison enrollment to reach the student population of 10, 500. My criminology professor pointed out that the article is a joke, because when he attended school here, the student enrollment was 15,000 and rising. So, what happened? For the answer, I am going to go to the Broken Window theory by James Q. Wilson. The concept behind the Broken Window theory is that if there is one broken window that does not get repaired, soon another broken window will happen, etc. This is basically saying that when people do not have enough pride in an object or place and allow for it to start to waste away with no repair, it will continue to get worse and worse. This is precisely what has happened in Terre Haute, Indiana, as things started to disintegrate, not enough people cared enough to do anything about it, so it has continued at an uncontrollable speed. Now, most people want to leave this place, at least all of the smart people as my criminology professor put it. In my class, the professor asked everyone who wanted to get the hell out of dodge to raise their hands, and the majority of the class did raise their hands. This is the problem here. In order for Terre Haute to be great again, great people are going to need a reason to stay, but until then we'll all continue to run away from the rundown place Terre Haute has become.

Legend or Reality?

A legend by definition is a story about supernatural beings or events. Every place in the world, no matter how big or small, has some type of legend that the locals love to convey to outsiders. Legends lend a place a cloud of mystery that anyone who encounters it wants to unveil. In Terre Haute, Indiana, it is no different.

On a visit to campus of Indiana State last year, one of my friends inquired about the legend at Cromwell Hall. I had never heard of it, so I was immediately intrigued. The legend says that a man jumped from room 1221 (12th floor) facing 4th Street. Under the window of room 1221, a white cross is carved in the stone. The story goes that the university has tried to get rid of the white cross, but every time it reappears. Since the time of the suicide, residents of Cromwell Hall have reported hearing footsteps and noises in the hallways.

So, is it true? No one may ever know, but it sure does make for an interesting story. Every time I get the chance, I feel proud to be able to tell someone the legend of Cromwell Hall.

Reeve Hall

During my short lunch break today, I decided to take a walk around campus. I work at the Admissions office on campus, which allows me to give campus tours regularly. So, as I was walking around, I thought there couldn't possibly be something I hadn't seen before. To my surprise, though, I stumbled upon the old entrance of Reeve Hall. As soon as I saw it, I was struck by the beauty of it surrounded by absolute emptiness. While I stood there, I immediately wondered what the women's dormitory looked like in it's glory days and the history behind it.

Upon further research, I found that the idea of the women's dormitory was proposed first in 1904 by President Parsons. The actual dormitory was not finished until November 16, 1924. The opening of it was welcomed by a huge parade. At the time, Reeve Hall consisted of two wings with the entrance door placed between them. Over the entrance, gnomes were placed representing students of music, physical education, chemistry, and home economics. Up until 1959, the women's dormitory was the only living quarters on campus for women. In 1971, the dormitory was closed because of rising costs. It then became used for classrooms and offices until it was torn down in 1998.

It is shocking to me that such a beautiful building would be torn down. I find it ironic that in the span of only 74 years, people went from celebrating the opening of the dormitory to seeing it as a financial burden. In my opinion, if the university were to keep the charming structures from its history, enrollment could increase. Students want to walk around a place that is proud of its history, not one that ignores its existence.

http://reeves-hall.hlitchford.imageloop.com/en/index.htm

Crows are Creepy

While walking around Indiana State's campus this last week, I couldn't help but notice the unusual amount of crow's and their droppings. And we wonder why no one wants to come to school here?

According to the local newspaper, it is estimated that around 32,000 crows are roosting in Terre Haute this winter. A biology professor at the university hypothesizes that they chose Terre Haute because of the warmth and lights.

So, it seems over the next few months of winter, the residents and students should not only watch their step, but keep a look out in the skies, you never know what may be dropping for a nice little surprise.

The Terminal: From Rail Station to Modern Bar

There are buildings or places in every town that have a rich history. The function of these buildings has more than likely changed throughout the years, and most citizens are not even aware of this. The town of Terre Haute, Indiana, is just one these places still possessing some structures holding a rich history that is waiting to be discovered by its citizens.

The Terminal, the building above, is an architectural beauty of Terre Haute that is greatly appreciated by the citizens, but the true history behind it is relatively unknown. At the time The Terminal Arcade was built, it was constructed as an interurban railway station that connected Terre Haute to Indianapolis. Once automobiles became widely used, it was closed in 1940. In the time period of 1949-1972, the building was used as a local bus station for the residents. Currently, it is known as The Terminal Sports and Spirits Bar. It has become one of the most popular bars in town for the regular towns people and the many college students.

History is such an essential component in every community. Every person should strive to understand their surroundings in order to appreciate their environment, whether they are there for a short period or for life. Throughout this semester, my goal is to make myself aware of the past of Terre Haute, Indiana, through researching and exploring the different places and events that have influenced what this town has become today.

Let Me Introduce Myself

Hey all! My name is Heather Litchford, and this is currently my first year at Indiana State University. Previously, I attended Indiana University-Bloomington. I transferred to Indiana State to complete my criminology degree. Although, this is only my first year living in Terre Haute, I have lived only a half an hour from here my entire life. Where I'm from, there is absolutely nothing to do, so my friends and I would travel to Terre Haute to do anything entertaining (this is the sad truth). In high school, there was no other college in Indiana I was willing to attend besides IU. Indiana State University was never known as that to me when I was applying to colleges, it was commonly referred to as "I Screwed Up."

After spending three years at IU, I realized that it was not all that it was said to be. Eventually, I chose to transfer to Indiana State because it has a great criminology program and because of the excellent professor to student ratio. Since coming here, I have realized that ISU has all of the potential to be an excellent college, but the location and lack of motivation are causing its demise. Lately, I have heard in a few of my courses about the way Terre Haute was back in its golden days, but if you were to come here now you would see nothing but a rundown, stinky town. So, throughout this semester I am looking forward to discovering the colorful past that has shaped Terre Haute into what it has become today, a lost treasure.