If asked to describe a college campus in the summer, the typical description would probably be something along the lines of “empty.” Who wants to be studying (or even in a place reminiscent of studying) when the sun is shining, right? Wrong. Here at Roanoke College, even as July is nearing, more is happening on campus than one might think for the summer months.
Students are completing internships in the area and taking classes on campus. Summer Scholars are conducting intensive research while working with faculty members. There is undergraduate research taking place in the science labs in Trexler and Life Science. Student employees are working in many places on campus. Prospective Maroons are touring campus in the beautiful weather, with devoted Maroon Ambassadors working to show off our classic campus, even in the summer.
Not only is the campus busy with students having productive summers, it’s busy with renovations and remodeling that will welcome the entire student body come the fall. Lucas Hall is scheduled to reopen in the fall of 2010, the first of the buildings on campus to become more environmentally friendly. (Did you know that so far, Roanoke College and R.L. Price have recycled 179 tons of construction debris from the Lucas Hall project following U.S. Green Building Protocol, which is equivalent to the conservation of 3,399 mature trees?) A pizza and pasta station is coming to the Commons, promising a brick oven for pizza that is sure to please the appetites of many at the start of the school year. The grounds crew continues to work diligently day in and day out to make campus beautiful for summer students, campus visitors and College employees.
It doesn’t sound like things are too quiet here, does it?
This is good news for students and parents alike. A happy thought for parents who often joke that the more that is paid for a college education, the less students actually attend: your kids can be on campus in the summer months, too. For students, little did you know the best four years of your life can actually take place year-round.
submitted by Megan Semmelman ’11
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Megan, interesting article and thanks for telling the story of what happening during the “quiet” summer months!
After a very very long time, came down to visit the campus on July 9th…..lots of changes but the one thing that struck me was the blandness of all the buildings….all the same neutral color….what….was there a sale on beige and white paint???? Nothing stands out on the campus anymore… only the flowers had color…..did not the signature building with all of its Corinthian columns….have bright red brick????