“Look Both Ways” By Tyler Curtis, Executive Director of Alumni Relations
W
hat a year.
Since February of 2013, we have been celebrating Emporia State University’s Sesquicentennial. And it has been a celebration to remember. It has certainly been an honor to chair the University’s 150th committee, and I want to thank all of our volunteers who served on committees and task forces to make these events happen. To those who attended our special events, thank you for your participation. After a year packed full of exciting activities and celebrations, what’s next? How do we keep the energy of the 150 going? We have a few ideas. One of those ideas involves a reunion of veterans during Veterans Day 2014.
As you probably know, Emporia is the founding city of Veterans Day, and this year will commemorate the 60th year of our nation’s celebration of Veterans Day. Veterans are also honored by Emporia State University. The oldest student union west of the Mississippi river, our Memorial Union was built in 1922 to honor WWI veterans. Emporia State’s Memorial Union is the second-oldest student union in the United States built in honor of veterans. Since the beginning, our Memorial Union has housed a Veterans Hall of Honor room, an area dedicated to veterans that now bears the name of Distinguished Alumnus and veteran Art Bloomer ’55. Some of you will remember Vet City. Some of you participated in ROTC. We want to celebrate you.
Emporia State continues to welcome veterans and was just named by U.S. News and World Report as a Best College for Veterans. Emporia State is a wonderful place for all students, especially those who serve our county in the armed forces. We have some exciting things in store for this reunion, so save the dates of November 8–11 and plan to attend our All-Veterans Reunion in 2014. It’s always fun to look back at our history as we look forward to our future. Stay tuned for more exciting events and celebrations that we have in store for the year ahead. We look forward to celebrating you next.
Photo credits: J.R. Garvey
Trading Spaces—Students move in to Trusler Hall
T
he day before spring semester classes started was move-in day for students of Singular Hall who claimed their rooms in the newly renovated Trusler Hall. Singular, built in 1959, and Trusler, built in 1963, share common spaces in the middle of the building. The building is connected to the Towers Complex on the east. The renovation of Trusler’s 60 student rooms included adding a sink/ vanity with a mirror to each room. Each floor has community restrooms for residents designed with three large sink/vanities, three toilets and five showers that added changing stalls. Lounges on each floor include 40-inch flat screen televisions and modern, comfortable furniture. The new spaces added technology — wireless internet, two Ethernet connection ports in rooms, five outlets for electronic devices — as well as free laundry and cable television provided in lounges. Students living in Singular packed up their rooms before leaving for the winter break. Renovation work is now underway in Singular. When completed, each floor will have larger core community lounges connecting the two buildings. 1