Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Acadia University...My Dads' Alma Mater


This is the university where my Dads met in the summer of  '73.

The campus is covered in lawns, well-manicured green expanses which make the place feel rural and peaceful.

 This is my first romp on the lawns in front of University Hall and did I take advantage of it.

 Jim prepared to take quite a few photos under the mammoth elm trees that dot the campus.
(The University saved their
 elm trees from the dreaded Dutch Elm disease 
that wiped out hundreds, if not thousands of trees in the Annapolis Valley)

These are the front steps of U Hall which Ron used to coast down in the winter.
Oh BTW, Acadia University is in Ron's hometown of Wolfville,
so there is a lot of history to be shared at some point.

 This vantage point shows Jim and me.
You might notice the flag above us is flying half mast.
An unfortunate incident happened with a student last week
during Frosh Week and he lost his life.
The University is in mourning right now,
but I still wanted you to see the beauty
and peacefulness of this campus.

 On these steps many moons ago,
Ron was walking up these stairs to his graduation.
Now here are Jim and I walking down,
is there some kind of weird connection?
Could be.

 To the left of U Hall is the Manning Memorial Chapel
perched on the top of the slope.

 This Japanese Maple used to reach as far as the first set of windows.
It's amazing how tall it has become in 50 years!

I decided to collage the remaining pictures because I know this venture
down memory lane is only for my Dads.
I hope you get a feeling for this campus
from the style of architecture to tree lined walkways 
to green expanses and peacefulness.

 University towns are unique 
in that you have an influx of student population every September and 
an exodus every late April.
So much goes on if you are interested in partaking
from athletic games to symphonies 
to musical presentations and plays.
Families growing up in this environment are
exposed to a small sampling of 
what the world has to offer.
I trust my small world has opened your eyes
and you have learned something 
fresh and new.