A Change of Pace

Friday was a very pretty day.

My mom and I were invited to take a tour of the University of Oregon Campus.

Student Rec Center

Hayward Field (track)

Knight Law Library

Our tour began with Allen Hall, which houses the newly remodeled School of Journalism and Communications. 

The building is a mix of old and new.

This printing press was the first west of the Missouri River and was used in 1846 to publish the "Oregon Spectator". The J School used it until the 1970's.  Now the J School publishes an award winning free digital magazine called "OR Magazine."   

The center of the hall is a three story atrium which incorporates elements of the old building and even a sculpture which uses the wood from a tree that had to be cut down during the expansion. 

The hall has labs, offices, classrooms, study areas.

Lots of interesting multimedia facets including the screen on the top right that tracks worldwide Twitter activity.  While we were there the geographic area of Ukraine shone like a spotlight! 

Next on our tour the new Global Scholars Hall.

The Hall has floors dedicated to intensive language immersion including: Chinese, Japanese, German, French, and Spanish. Honors College and College Scholars also live here.  There is a full time librarian on staff, an amazing food court, classrooms, and a large performance hall.

It is a light and airy space.

The food court is amazing. It is open from 7am-10pm and has a pasta bar, sushi, rice bowls, and lots of other food choices.  Very different from when I attended school!

While I was disappointed that we did not get to see a dorm room, we were able to visit with residents and listened to two University choirs.  Often it seems that athletic programs over-shadow the university's academic functions.  It was reassuring to see the results of financial commitment made to academics, and speak with bright, articulate young people.

A day well spent!