This has probably been discussed already on the board, but it looks like the Welcome Center is back on the drawing board, at least according to President Heckler's web page:
www.valpo.edu/president/ (http://www.valpo.edu/president/) - Cached - Similar
Paul
Quote from: 78crusader on December 26, 2011, 07:41:20 AM
This has probably been discussed already on the board, but it looks like the Welcome Center is back on the drawing board, at least according to President Heckler's web page:
www.valpo.edu/president/ (http://www.valpo.edu/president/) - Cached - Similar
I'm not so sure about that. It might be that someone forgot to edit out that part about the Welcome Center. I'm sure that now that you have pointed it out someone at Kretzmann Hall will either confirm that plans for the Welcome Center are back on or edit out that part of the web page.
Valparaiso University receives $5 million anonymous gift.
From Pres. Heckler today:
I am proud to announce today the planned construction of a new 15,000-square-foot Welcome Center at the U.S. 30 entrance to our campus.
The Welcome Center will be an important gateway into our University community. People visiting our community for the first time will have a chance to get to know us better, and those who already know us can reconnect in new ways. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, our vision for this important place will soon become a reality.
The Welcome Center will create a front door for the University and will support the needs of all prospective students, alumni and all guests visiting campus.
It will also house some key historical and modern exhibits as a continuation of the University's story told in Heritage Hall, which was dedicated in April 2010. The funding to build the new center came in part because of a $5 million anonymous gift to the University.
Building the Welcome Center is another important milestone for Valparaiso University as it seeks to grow to 6,000 students as part of the University's Strategic Plan. The Welcome Center is being built in anticipation of a growing University enrollment and to help to foster a greater sense of community for visitors on campus. A groundbreaking ceremony is currently being planned for April 28, with details to follow at a later date.
Woohoo! Great news!
Pretty neat! Must be nice to have $5 million to donate lol
Some renderings of the new facility are located in the link below. This is a very exciting project and speaks volumes for our fundraising efforts. It's also worth noting that we should not have a period of time on campus without construction since the Arts and Sciences building should finish around the time of the groundbreaking. Exciting times indeed! :thumbsup:
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/vu-receives-million-for-welcome-center/article_7fecf80e-d085-5b87-a36b-0a760eed1206.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/vu-receives-million-for-welcome-center/article_7fecf80e-d085-5b87-a36b-0a760eed1206.html)
Dorms should have been a higher priority.
Quote from: vu84v2 on February 15, 2012, 07:57:58 AM
Dorms should have been a higher priority.
The dorms will be built with outside money, then a master lease from the University. The Welcome Center is not, per se, a revenue generating facility, thus, using outside money would be impossible.
and on top of that, who's to say that the donation wasn't specifically given for the welcome center? at least, that's kind of the vibe i got from reading the press release.
VU72--
This is admittedly an unsophisticated question, but when you say the dorms will be built with "outside money," does that mean, basically, that VU will go to the bank and borrow the money to pay for the construction costs? If so, why would we do this? What is the advantage?
Paul
Quote from: 78crusader on February 15, 2012, 09:22:44 AM
VU72--
This is admittedly an unsophisticated question, but when you say the dorms will be built with "outside money," does that mean, basically, that VU will go to the bank and borrow the money to pay for the construction costs? If so, why would we do this? What is the advantage?
Paul
Think of the apartments built on the north side. Outside investors/developers put up their own money to build them and then the University enters into as long-term lease in which they guarantee occupancy. I obviously don't know the exact terms, but these type of arrangements keep Valpo from having to raise big money for dorms and instead can use the raised money for academic buildings etc.
The student occupancy and rent gives the developer the money needed for debt service and a return.
Makes sense. So, have you heard anything about when VU might be able to start building one of these new dorms?
And...any idea why VU cannot raise $1 million to build the long-promised new track? My only thought is that it is simply not a priority with President Heckler, but I don't think that is the case. Have you heard anything on this? Thanks!
Paul
Quote from: 78crusader on February 15, 2012, 09:59:09 AM
Makes sense. So, have you heard anything about when VU might be able to start building one of these new dorms?
And...any idea why VU cannot raise $1 million to build the long-promised new track? My only thought is that it is simply not a priority with President Heckler, but I don't think that is the case. Have you heard anything on this? Thanks!
Paul
Not sure on the start date, although I seem to remember that Huegli will be torn down as soon as students leave for the summer. I think the new dorm is a high priority but don't recall any other details.
As for the track, it is simply a matter of finding the donor with that priority. The fund raising guys are out there every day and if someone volunteers to put up the money, they aren't going to say no!
Quote from: vuweathernerd on February 15, 2012, 09:11:57 AM
and on top of that, who's to say that the donation wasn't specifically given for the welcome center? at least, that's kind of the vibe i got from reading the press release.
It probably was a specifically targeted donation, but I bet it was part of a two-way conversation. I don't think someone just walked in off the street and said, "I want to give $5M for a... sort of a... front door... hmm... let's call it a 'Welcome Center'."
The university has certain priorities in mind, they have certain potential donors in mind, they do some matchmaking, have some conversations, etc. And out comes a "targeted" donation for a Welcome Center. That same donor may have been unwilling to give the same $5M for e.g. an Arena. But, maybe they would have been willing to give it for an academic building, or some other purpose. But, not carte blanche. They may have wanted some detailed discussion, maybe even some input, into the building, etc.
Quote from: vu72 on February 15, 2012, 10:05:37 AMNot sure on the start date, although I seem to remember that Huegli will be torn down as soon as students leave for the summer. I think the new dorm is a high priority but don't recall any other details.
My memory's also fuzzy on the details. I seem to recall construction _could_ start as early as this summer. But, it may be contingent on enrollment numbers. If the deposits on hand make the dorm likely to be needed soon, they might start it soon. If we're still not actively approaching that 6k target, maybe the project waits another year or three until we are.
This donation was made specifically for a Welcome Center, not dorms, not an arena. The discussion on the fundraising efforts and what they should be doing is quite amusing. This is going to be a fantastic addition to our growing campus.
Quote from: vu72 on February 15, 2012, 10:05:37 AMNot sure on the start date, although I seem to remember that Huegli will be torn down as soon as students leave for the summer. I think the new dorm is a high priority but don't recall any other details.
Huegli Hall will not be torn down until the summer of 2013.
If I recall correctly, the main reasons why Huegli isn't being torn down now is because that construction/demolition fencing area would cut off one of the major thoroughfares to get from one side of campus to the other exponentially during the fall and spring. Doing this during the summer is easier to handle because there aren't as many students living on campus, and I believe the student housing during the summer is at Guild-Memorial, so the major traffic center then would mostly walk past the Library, Arts & Science building, Mueller Hall, and the Chapel to get to the VUCA, and the communications and business buildings (blanking on those names right now), and Neils Science Center. At least in the summer, the university can detour campus traffic so it doesn't interfere with construction, and they can get the pieces of Huegli removed in a more streamlined manner in the summer, when you don't have as much foot traffic walking around.
I suppose I'm sensitive to the track issue since when I was on the track team, our indoor workouts consisted of running the stairs in the old gym, and many of our outdoor workouts consisted of running up the hill past the Theta Chi house to the gym. Maybe not the best of training facilities.
Paul
Quote from: 78crusader on February 15, 2012, 11:54:25 AM
I suppose I'm sensitive to the track issue since when I was on the track team, our indoor workouts consisted of running the stairs in the old gym, and many of our outdoor workouts consisted of running up the hill past the Theta Chi house to the gym. Maybe not the best of training facilities.
Paul
I'm sensitive to the track issue as well, but I'm also looking at how the track can be a revenue generator with college and high school meets. In the summer, it could be a superb generator with the AAU and youth track circuits because we would have the space for javelin and steepchase that are used at the AAU and youth summer track levels. I know our track team hasn't been at the same level as the LSUs, Texas, Florida, Wisconsin, Stanford, and Oregons, but it could be a real nice revenue generator for the track program or the athletics programs as a whole. To go with what 78crusader said about the training, from 1999-2004, the team was commonly using available grass, roads, and high school tracks to do our training on all the time. Going to Eastgate for practices on the cement oval was like taking your career in your hands. I wish I had the remainder of funds needed for the track, so this could be done by the 2013 season, but I don't have it. I hope there is a large pool of donors that can and will help with this major investment and revenue generator for VU Track and Athletics.
This may be a silly question, but, here it goes: just from a training standpoint, and from an inexpensive standpoint, couldn't you just replace the cement oval at Eastgate with cinders? I know, I'm really showing my age!! I knew there was an oval out there but didn't realize it was unusable. Why was it built in the first place??
vu72, it was resurfaced when track started going with the rubberized, for lack of a better term, track surfaces because they helped promote faster times because they give a little bounce, and teams can run/train on an all-weather track while it is raining. If you remember, cinder tracks picked up rain puddles that looked like floods, and teams/coaches would refuse to run on them. Once the technology in the new tracks had a drainage solution, schools went to it right away. The new track drains quickly, can be "Squigeed" for excess water run-off, and while it's raining, you can still compete on it, and won't get injuries like twisted ankles like you would get in puddles from rain on cinder tracks that don't drain for days. I certainly wouldn't feel safe, or want to risk the safety of another athlete, running on a loose cinder track after it rained.
I ran on a cinder track in high school and let me tell you, you don't want to ever fall down on it! I think I STILL have a scab from 1971.
There are many reasons for putting in a new track, and valporun has hit on several of them. From my standpoint, though, there are three reasons why VU should make every effort right now to put in a track: (1) a new track was part of the long-ended FITT project, and VU has stated on many occasions that a new track is important; (2) it is a recruiting disadvantage, both to track and field recruits but probably there are some potential students (and their parents) who come here and wonder where the heck the track is, and (3) Brown Field looks silly without a track around it.
Paul
Couldn't agree more about the need for a modern track. I was just wondering whether or not, as a very cheap stop gap measure, putting a cinder track in made any sense. Apparently not. And oh yes, I remember running on cinder tracks as well. Did you know that the Olympic Games were run on cinder tracks until 1964?
So I'm still wondering what the oval at Eastgate was used for?? When was it built? Is it really cement??
Quote from: vu72 on February 15, 2012, 04:22:01 PM
Couldn't agree more about the need for a modern track. I was just wondering whether or not, as a very cheap stop gap measure, putting a cinder track in made any sense. Apparently not. And oh yes, I remember running on cinder tracks as well. Did you know that the Olympic Games were run on cinder tracks until 1964?
So I'm still wondering what the oval at Eastgate was used for?? When was it built? Is it really cement??
we ran a pt test on it my junior year during rotc, and it was bad. our times suffered greatly, as did our legs. if memory serves, it's actually a blacktop surface, but any way you slice it it's not good to run on.
A high-resolution rendering from the Valpo website.
(http://www.valpo.edu/common/images/news/916.jpg)
Does this website rendering cause problems for FWAlum to open on his phone? Seems we have seen plenty of these renderings on this board.
The building does look great and modern. I can't wait too see the finished building and to be welcomed there.
that's a sharp looking building! i'm excited!
Quote from: bbtds on February 15, 2012, 06:51:41 PM
Does this website rendering cause problems for FWAlum to open on his phone? Seems we have seen plenty of these renderings on this board.
The building does look great and modern. I can't wait too see the finished building and to be welcomed there.
Are you insinuating that I have an out dated phone or an inadequate service provider ??? I am glad that I waited until I was able to open this thread on my laptop otherwise I might still be staring glassy eyed at my old iPhone.
Quote from: 78crusader on February 15, 2012, 04:06:35 PM
I ran on a cinder track in high school and let me tell you, you don't want to ever fall down on it! I think I STILL have a scab from 1971.
There are many reasons for putting in a new track, and valporun has hit on several of them. From my standpoint, though, there are three reasons why VU should make every effort right now to put in a track: (1) a new track was part of the long-ended FITT project, and VU has stated on many occasions that a new track is important; (2) it is a recruiting disadvantage, both to track and field recruits but probably there are some potential students (and their parents) who come here and wonder where the heck the track is, and (3) Brown Field looks silly without a track around it.
Paul
Good assessment Paul. BTW I was part of the Darrell Zimmerman championship squads of the early 60's that ran on the cinder track at Brown Field. The FITT $$ is still there (somewhere, based on a discussion I had with Mark LaBarbera) but apparently still not enough to close the deal on the track around the turf playing surface. There was a string under Football in the Fall that discussed the poor facilities for the FB team but also pulled in Track and MSO and WSO teams -- all of which would benefit (image, recruiting, etc -wise) from finishing the project. It's worse than most contemporary high school facilities -- certainly not D-I caliber -- and most D-III facilities here in the east blow that place away.
I think it's nice that the Welcome Center is being built and I like the fact that VU is headed toward 6,000 students. But I also think that to be competitive in today's prospective student marketplace, colleges and universities have to present a better and better picture across the board of top draw academics supported by top draw facilities. Brown Field right now is not in that category.
Another view of the front:
(http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/nwitimes.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/84/48461fe1-d7bb-5f6b-837d-74818ac95fa7/4f3afb6db2b5d.image.jpg)
President Heckler today distributed to the campus an invitation to the Welcome Center groundbreaking, which he said was made possible due to a donor's anonymous $5 million gift to the University. The web page with information about the Welcome Center and the groundbreaking can be found at the following: http://valpo.edu/welcomecenter/ (http://valpo.edu/welcomecenter/)
It's great to see this building getting attention with its own webpage and groundbreaking. That's more than I can say for the Arts & Sciences building. :-X
Everything looks set up for this weekend's big event! ;D
a photo of the groundbreaking preparation from an admissions official
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/529170_696139069969_40804688_33663606_1240214578_n.jpg?dl=1)
ground was broken today. see photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629555782094/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629555782094/)
anyone know who the older people are in the groundbreaking? the anonymous donors?
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on April 28, 2012, 07:12:39 PM
ground was broken today. see photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629555782094/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629555782094/)
anyone know who the older people are in the groundbreaking? the anonymous donors?
[/b]
I'm quite certain its one of the Duesenberg twins, Richard or Robert. Both Valpo undergrad and law grads. Highly successful lawyers and both Valpo Board members. One was General Counsel for General Dynamics and the other General Counsel for another Fortune 500 company. They have given millions to Valpo (Kade-Duesenberg House) as an example.
Never met them but both a true blessing for Valpo.
Quote from: vu72 on April 28, 2012, 09:44:09 PM
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on April 28, 2012, 07:12:39 PM
ground was broken today. see photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629555782094/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629555782094/)
anyone know who the older people are in the groundbreaking? the anonymous donors?
[/b]
I'm quite certain its one of the Duesenberg twins, Richard or Robert. Both Valpo undergrad and law grads. Highly successful lawyers and both Valpo Board members. One was General Counsel for General Dynamics and the other General Counsel for another Fortune 500 company. They have given millions to Valpo (Kade-Duesenberg House) as an example.
Never met them but both a true blessing for Valpo.
http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=207 (http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=207)
Richard Duesenburg was General Counsel at Monsanto Company, the company that is well known for putting astroturf in the Astrodome in Houston and a little later they also put astroturf in many of the cookie-cutter stadiums such as Busch Memorial Stadium in St.Louis, Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Shea Stadium in New York, Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City.....etc. Richard was senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of the company at the time of his retirement.
Thanks for the info, 72 and bbtds. Just saw that it will be called the Duesenberg Welcome Center. :thumbsup:
Will they put a Duesy in lobby as a conversation piece? This one would look really nice!
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Duesenberg_Convertible_SJ_LA_Grand_Dual-Cowl_Phaeton_1935.jpg/240px-Duesenberg_Convertible_SJ_LA_Grand_Dual-Cowl_Phaeton_1935.jpg)
My wife and I were on campus when the Dusenburg's were there. We were undergrads,they were in law school.Back then the law school students had a reputation for being SNOBS (only kidding)! Thanks for everything guys. I'm going to start a petition to change the U's name from Valparaiso to Dusenberg much as Glassboro State did when it changed its name to Rowan U.,or when Western Maryland changed its name to McDaniel U. GO DUSENBURG! :thumbsup:
An article from the main page of the university website that discusses the Duesenbergs $5 million gift for the Welcome Center.
http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=4742 (http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=4742)
Quote from: vufan75 on April 30, 2012, 03:51:10 PM
An article from the main page of the university website that discusses the Duesenbergs $5 million gift for the Welcome Center.
Nice to see that one of the long time supporters of the university is back to do the construction work on the Welcome Center. Congratulations to the Hagerman Group, and one of my friends from the Lutheran Foundation and VU alum Nathan Fink, for your work on this project!
I wonder what changed to make the anonymous donors known. either way, I like the sound of having the Welcome Center have a name in front of it. it adds character and a feeling that you are at a private university.
I was on campus today and stopped to watch the first day of work at the Welcome Center. The ground was dug up this afternoon and some construction equipment moved into place. In fact, the whole campus appears to be under construction. In addition to the Welcome Center, the Chapel is fenced off and renovation fully underway, one of the buildings at the University Promenade is going up and its first floor nearly complete, there is renovation taking place at Guild Memorial, trucks are moving the last furnishings from Huegli Hall into the new Arts & Science building, and there are a lot of landscaping projects taking place. Usually, summers on campus are mostly quiet, but this is going to be a busy summer all around VU, especially when you consider that the hospital will be vacated to its new location in August.
thanks for the update valpopal. I am glad the welcome center is starting on time!
Quote from: valpopal on May 22, 2012, 10:41:55 PMUsually, summers on campus are mostly quiet
that's because they're waiting for the students to come back in the fall so they can more effectively inconvenience them. my last couple years at vu, all work was done during the year, including the petty little projects that could've been done in the summer with no ill effects whatsoever. the one that pissed me off the most was the road resurfacings - they could've done those during the summer with minimal impact, even to the students working on campus through the summer, but they waited until right after the semester started and then shut roads down.
but i'm glad they plan on working this summer - maybe they won't have quite so many random projects popping up during the year then.
Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 22, 2012, 11:59:23 PM
Quote from: valpopal on May 22, 2012, 10:41:55 PMUsually, summers on campus are mostly quiet
that's because they're waiting for the students to come back in the fall so they can more effectively inconvenience them. my last couple years at vu, all work was done during the year, including the petty little projects that could've been done in the summer with no ill effects whatsoever. the one that pissed me off the most was the road resurfacings - they could've done those during the summer with minimal impact, even to the students working on campus through the summer, but they waited until right after the semester started and then shut roads down.
but i'm glad they plan on working this summer - maybe they won't have quite so many random projects popping up during the year then.
Tis better to inconvenience current students than to have prospectives see it!
Quote from: valpo04 on May 23, 2012, 08:21:18 AM
Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 22, 2012, 11:59:23 PM
Quote from: valpopal on May 22, 2012, 10:41:55 PMUsually, summers on campus are mostly quiet
that's because they're waiting for the students to come back in the fall so they can more effectively inconvenience them. my last couple years at vu, all work was done during the year, including the petty little projects that could've been done in the summer with no ill effects whatsoever. the one that pissed me off the most was the road resurfacings - they could've done those during the summer with minimal impact, even to the students working on campus through the summer, but they waited until right after the semester started and then shut roads down.
but i'm glad they plan on working this summer - maybe they won't have quite so many random projects popping up during the year then.
Tis better to inconvenience current students than to have prospectives see it!
i don't know about that. sure, it might kinda suck as a prospective to see work being done, but it shows potential future students that valpo does care about its facilities and will make improvements and replace buildings if/when possible.
my freshman year (and typhoon might remember this as well), it was a game everyday of where are the fences going to be today? they would block off random pieces of sidewalk and do nothing. and then the next day, they'd be somewhere else. it was a source of great confusion to the students. but then again, so were classes. ;)
Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 23, 2012, 08:33:46 AM
Quote from: valpo04 on May 23, 2012, 08:21:18 AM
Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 22, 2012, 11:59:23 PM
Quote from: valpopal on May 22, 2012, 10:41:55 PMUsually, summers on campus are mostly quiet
that's because they're waiting for the students to come back in the fall so they can more effectively inconvenience them. my last couple years at vu, all work was done during the year, including the petty little projects that could've been done in the summer with no ill effects whatsoever. the one that pissed me off the most was the road resurfacings - they could've done those during the summer with minimal impact, even to the students working on campus through the summer, but they waited until right after the semester started and then shut roads down.
but i'm glad they plan on working this summer - maybe they won't have quite so many random projects popping up during the year then.
Tis better to inconvenience current students than to have prospectives see it!
i don't know about that. sure, it might kinda suck as a prospective to see work being done, but it shows potential future students that valpo does care about its facilities and will make improvements and replace buildings if/when possible.
my freshman year (and typhoon might remember this as well), it was a game everyday of where are the fences going to be today? they would block off random pieces of sidewalk and do nothing. and then the next day, they'd be somewhere else. it was a source of great confusion to the students. but then again, so were classes. ;)
I just remember my FOCUS experience... Valpo in June was as picturesque as it comes. Then again, there were no construction projects going on back then.
I have often said if I had made my first visit in winter I would have never went there!
Quote from: valpo04 on May 23, 2012, 11:09:22 AM
Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 23, 2012, 08:33:46 AM
Quote from: valpo04 on May 23, 2012, 08:21:18 AM
Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 22, 2012, 11:59:23 PM
Quote from: valpopal on May 22, 2012, 10:41:55 PMUsually, summers on campus are mostly quiet
that's because they're waiting for the students to come back in the fall so they can more effectively inconvenience them. my last couple years at vu, all work was done during the year, including the petty little projects that could've been done in the summer with no ill effects whatsoever. the one that pissed me off the most was the road resurfacings - they could've done those during the summer with minimal impact, even to the students working on campus through the summer, but they waited until right after the semester started and then shut roads down.
but i'm glad they plan on working this summer - maybe they won't have quite so many random projects popping up during the year then.
Tis better to inconvenience current students than to have prospectives see it!
i don't know about that. sure, it might kinda suck as a prospective to see work being done, but it shows potential future students that valpo does care about its facilities and will make improvements and replace buildings if/when possible.
my freshman year (and typhoon might remember this as well), it was a game everyday of where are the fences going to be today? they would block off random pieces of sidewalk and do nothing. and then the next day, they'd be somewhere else. it was a source of great confusion to the students. but then again, so were classes. ;)
I just remember my FOCUS experience... Valpo in June was as picturesque as it comes. Then again, there were no construction projects going on back then.
I have often said if I had made my first visit in winter I would have never went there!
when i went for focus in june 06, they had finished tearing down moellering library and that was a huge open space. within months of moving into lank that august, it was fenced off in preparation for the start of union construction.
and if i had visited valpo in the winter, i'd probably not have considered it like i did. but i don't regret my decision in the slightest. when my mom made her only visit to valpo, it was bad weather and campus wasn't all that appealing, but she wound up going anyway. lol. good thing too, or i wouldn't be here to bitch about the inconveniences of construction during the school year. :)
photos of the first week of construction:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629865043782/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629865043782/)
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on May 23, 2012, 05:45:20 PM
photos of the first week of construction:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629865043782/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629865043782/)
Finally getting going on this construction. Isn't that a welcome sight? :-\
Quote from: bbtds on May 23, 2012, 08:50:38 PM
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on May 23, 2012, 05:45:20 PM
photos of the first week of construction:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629865043782/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629865043782/)
Finally getting going on this construction. Isn't that a welcome sight? :-\
(http://s3-ak.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/terminal01/2011/7/11/12/enhanced-buzz-5819-1310400835-9.jpg)
Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 23, 2012, 01:00:04 PMand if i had visited valpo in the winter, i'd probably not have considered it like i did. but i don't regret my decision in the slightest. when my mom made her only visit to valpo, it was bad weather and campus wasn't all that appealing, but she wound up going anyway. lol. good thing too, or i wouldn't be here to bitch about the inconveniences of construction during the school year. :)
I can relate to the "visited Valpo in winter" comment. Really would have liked one of my children to go to VU, alas it was not to be and probably one of the biggest reasons was old man winter. My best chance was probably the middle daughter (my avatar). I had taken her to VU many times for events and it almost always seemed that the trip was somehow effected by weather. The real kicker was a visit for potential Christ College students that happened in February during a rather significant snow event. The campus tour was accomplished by walking backwards because the wind and snow made walking head first almost impossible. She visited Wake Forest during spring break and my hopes were dashed by a beautiful campus, blooming magnolias and excellent academics.
(http://www.wfu.edu/_images/homepage_university.jpg)
Quote from: FWalum on May 24, 2012, 09:09:03 AM
Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 23, 2012, 01:00:04 PMand if i had visited valpo in the winter, i'd probably not have considered it like i did. but i don't regret my decision in the slightest. when my mom made her only visit to valpo, it was bad weather and campus wasn't all that appealing, but she wound up going anyway. lol. good thing too, or i wouldn't be here to bitch about the inconveniences of construction during the school year. :)
I can relate to the "visited Valpo in winter" comment. Really would have liked one of my children to go to VU, alas it was not to be and probably one of the biggest reasons was old man winter. My best chance was probably the middle daughter (my avatar). I had taken her to VU many times for events and it almost always seemed that the trip was somehow effected by weather. The real kicker was a visit for potential Christ College students that happened in February during a rather significant snow event. The campus tour was accomplished by walking backwards because the wind and snow made walking head first almost impossible. She visited Wake Forest during spring break and my hopes were dashed by a beautiful campus, blooming magnolias and excellent academics.
(http://www.wfu.edu/_images/homepage_university.jpg)
can't win 'em all, FW.
Remembering the comments below, I thought I'd share this photo I took during a snowfall last week, and I felt those alums in warm weather climates might like a reminder of Indiana in winter. The view is from the new Welcome Center toward Kretzmann Hall in the background. As you can see, winter can be pleasant at times. By the way, I can report the Welcome Center construction is ahead of schedule, and it could be completed by graduation day in May.
(http://i46.tinypic.com/2d80zno.jpg)
Quote from: FWalum on May 24, 2012, 09:09:03 AM
Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 23, 2012, 01:00:04 PMand if i had visited valpo in the winter, i'd probably not have considered it like i did. but i don't regret my decision in the slightest. when my mom made her only visit to valpo, it was bad weather and campus wasn't all that appealing, but she wound up going anyway. lol. good thing too, or i wouldn't be here to bitch about the inconveniences of construction during the school year. :)
I can relate to the "visited Valpo in winter" comment. Really would have liked one of my children to go to VU, alas it was not to be and probably one of the biggest reasons was old man winter. My best chance was probably the middle daughter (my avatar). I had taken her to VU many times for events and it almost always seemed that the trip was somehow effected by weather. The real kicker was a visit for potential Christ College students that happened in February during a rather significant snow event. The campus tour was accomplished by walking backwards because the wind and snow made walking head first almost impossible. She visited Wake Forest during spring break and my hopes were dashed by a beautiful campus, blooming magnolias and excellent academics.
(http://www.wfu.edu/_images/homepage_university.jpg)
Well, from the Boston area where I have not had power or heat for 4 days and the inside temp in the house dropped to 41 degrees, I can still appreciate the beauty (power was restored this morning). But....... it still brings back memories of the walk from Wehrenberg to old campus in January with the wind blasting you every step of the way. Back then the whole area between the dorm and the chapel/union area was totally undeveloped and the wind was like a knife -- especially when the temps dropped into the single digits.
Thanks for the info on the Welcome Center valpopal. I am hopeful it will be open when I visit for graduation! :thumbsup:
Quote from: valpopal on February 12, 2013, 01:05:36 PM
Remembering the comments below, I thought I'd share this photo I took during a snowfall last week, and I felt those alums in warm weather climates might like a reminder of Indiana in winter. The view is from the new Welcome Center toward Kretzmann Hall in the background. As you can see, winter can be pleasant at times. By the way, I can report the Welcome Center construction is ahead of schedule, and it could be completed by graduation day in May.
(http://i46.tinypic.com/2d80zno.jpg)
Quote from: FWalum on May 24, 2012, 09:09:03 AM
Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 23, 2012, 01:00:04 PMand if i had visited valpo in the winter, i'd probably not have considered it like i did. but i don't regret my decision in the slightest. when my mom made her only visit to valpo, it was bad weather and campus wasn't all that appealing, but she wound up going anyway. lol. good thing too, or i wouldn't be here to bitch about the inconveniences of construction during the school year. :)
I can relate to the "visited Valpo in winter" comment. Really would have liked one of my children to go to VU, alas it was not to be and probably one of the biggest reasons was old man winter. My best chance was probably the middle daughter (my avatar). I had taken her to VU many times for events and it almost always seemed that the trip was somehow effected by weather. The real kicker was a visit for potential Christ College students that happened in February during a rather significant snow event. The campus tour was accomplished by walking backwards because the wind and snow made walking head first almost impossible. She visited Wake Forest during spring break and my hopes were dashed by a beautiful campus, blooming magnolias and excellent academics.
(http://www.wfu.edu/_images/homepage_university.jpg)
i'm in a cold-weather climate that blows majorly, and i still appreciate the reminder. i'd take a valpo winter over nodak any day.
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on February 12, 2013, 06:40:21 PM
Thanks for the info on the Welcome Center valpopal. I am hopeful it will be open when I visit for graduation! :thumbsup:
agreed
Here's an updated photo of the Welcome Center, courtesy of Valpo's Flickr page:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8572744080_bfac80981a_b.jpg)
I like the view from US 30 when you are driving up the hill after passing Linwood Ave & the Industrial Revolution restaurant going east when you can see both the Welcome Center and the Chapel at the same time. The stone work on the Welcome Center is very beautiful and for a few seconds you see that it melds right into the stone work on the outside of the Chapel and makes the outside of the Chapel look even more beautiful.
Maybe I haven't noticed that stone work on the Chapel for a while because it contrasts so much with the outside of the Library/Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources.
What/where is the Industrial Revolution restaurant?
Quote from: valpotx on March 24, 2013, 01:22:17 PM
What/where is the Industrial Revolution restaurant?
It's the restaurant on the corner of Linwood and US 30. It's practically a cursed location with many restaurants occupying the space over the years. I've been to it a few times and it's definitely a cool place, but time will tell if it will meet a similar fate like those before it.
http://www.industrialrevolutioneatery.com/index.php (http://www.industrialrevolutioneatery.com/index.php)
That is one unique restaurant. Deserves to survive just for that alone.
Quote from: valpotx on March 24, 2013, 01:22:17 PMWhat/where is the Industrial Revolution restaurant?
I'm guessing that while you were there, Tx, it went from being "Al's Diner" to "Brewski's"?
Ah ok, that gives me an idea of where it is
Passing through town today on a trip and seeing the Welcome Center for the first time was very neat. :thumbsup:
My friend posted a few photos of the interior. It takes a lot of cues from the new Union, it appears.
The lobby:
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/430247_10151582057876273_2096696853_n.jpg)
Hallway:
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/407143_10151582057966273_1964191304_n.jpg)
FYI, two torches that are mounted on both sides of the entrance on the columns near the Welcome Center were burning this morning when I went by on US30 at 7:00 a.m. this morning. I haven't seen this in the evening yet but I'm sure it will leave a burning impression in many prospective students minds. :)
The staff at Kretzmann began to move into the Welcome Center today. Here are some photos I snapped about two weeks ago:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/v/968316_799627308709_1184382213_o.jpg?oh=c2ba74f3e8ab2991a28e28cee1afaab3&oe=51AE98F3&__gda__=1370438726_8f27a77dcf4f73e6746a052329f6d386)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/v/986962_799626989349_1935476571_o.jpg?oh=10bbc92a6cd4162246e48dfe7cf1bdc4&oe=51AEF7D8&__gda__=1370444269_fa752e344b6fa637465b829a0582ca06)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/v/968514_799632997309_284274002_o.jpg?oh=ba038465579648b4a3087ca28e0fcdaf&oe=51AF15BE&__gda__=1370445287_867ec02679268a996796c3635d604f56)
Another slick looking building :)
Checked out the inside of the Welcome Center, and I have to say I was pleased by its interior design and appearance. Also, gazing out of the large windows confirms the location is perfect. In addition to being conveniently situated off I-30, the views from inside are terrific, especially when looking toward the chapel. This will be a valuable addition that presents an excellent first impression to visitors or prospective new students.
If anyone is around campus, there will be an official open house two weeks from today on June 19 between 1 pm and 3 pm, although some of the historical exhibits will not be in place until the fall dedication.
Quote from: valpopal on June 05, 2013, 05:24:54 PMIf anyone is around campus, there will be an official open house two weeks from today on June 19 between 1 pm and 3 pm, although some of the historical exhibits will not be in place until the fall dedication.
It'll be nice to go back once everything's installed. But, it was a nice building.
Here is an interesting article. Maybe this had been mentioned before, but nice to see some collaboration between VU and the Concordia's
Concordia's Center for Liturgical Art Set to Install Mosaic at Valparaiso University's Welcome Center (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/5/prweb10764992.htm)
Mosaic, eh? Speaking of broken things, from the article:
QuoteThe mosaic, titled "Lightfall," was inspired by Psalm 36:9 and Valparaiso's motto: "In luce tua, videmus lucer," "In your light, we see light."
[sound of classics major sighing]
Heh - nice catch. I'm no Latinist, but it looks like, even in Latin, that's a straight typo? Maybe with some risk of greater similarity to the verb forms rather than the noun, but likely to be clear from context? I was sort of a rooting for an accidental double entendre.
And nice to hear about the mosaic - I look forward to seeing it, and hope I can find the history again once it gets installed. (At least this site googles well!)
Interestingly, my (nominally Methodist) alma mater had almost the same motto (in lumine tuo videbimus lucem), but importantly to note uses the future tense, "we WILL see". Always found it fascinating, if counterintuitive, that a Lutheran school had a more humanist view of the power of reason, at least as reflected in their respective mottoes.
There are some fantastic photos on the Valpo Flickr site. Check it out to see the Welcome Center, Chapel, Christopher Center, and others. :thumbsup: http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/9372036586_a77b94564d_b.jpg)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3796/9369265627_64ba9f5e0d_b.jpg)
Great photo of the Welcome Center in the snow, courtesy of the Valparaiso University Undergraduate Admission Facebook page.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10854254_764955506922783_8355721017693083394_o.jpg)