University of Dayton - MyLife

Crazy Campus Transformations

I'm sure all those faithful blog readers out there remember my complaints I had about the construction on campus during the summer. Everywhere I looked, something new was undergoing construction. The parking lots were repaved, Kettering Labs (the engineering building) underwent a complete makeover, sidewalks were built, new paths were constructed, dining halls were renovated, etc. During the past few months it was frustrating trying to dodge the caution tape and find alternate routes to my destinations, but now that the freshmen have moved in and we are just a couple days away from starting classes, it's finally completed! It was like within one night our campus was transformed from construction central to the beautiful finished product right as new student orientation began! It's amazing what kinds of things can change in just a few months time. As some of my friends move back to campus, they can't even believe some of the physical changes that have occurred on campus.

My two favorite projects this summer were definitely Kettering Labs and the Marycrest Dining Hall. Kettering Labs has been under construction in bits and pieces for almost as long as I've been at UD. Up until this past summer, however, the outside was quite an eyesore among the rest of the beautiful brick buildings on campus. Now that the construction on the outside is finally finished, it looks like a completely different building! The outside appearance almost looks identical to the Humanities building right next to it. Now, instead of being an eyesore, it's one of the most impressive buildings on campus! The Marycrest Dining Hall also has a completely different look. When I walked into the lobby of my old residence hall a few days ago, I couldn't believe my eyes...I didn't even feel like I was in the same place I lived just three years ago. The renovations were amazing...most people who see the new place comment on how it looks more like a hotel or a country club than a college dorm. As we wandered around inside of the new dining hall, it sure wasn't hard to pick out the upperclassmen among all the freshmen. We were the ones with our mouths hanging open in awe at the look of the new Marycrest. If all these changes happened in just one summer, I can't even imagine what campus will look like at our 10 year class reunion!

Aug 18, 2008 4:37 PM Permalink