Sitting on King Quad

King Quad seems to be the center of most of the action on campus. This is where “The Rock” that all of the sororities paint is located, as well as, King House (the historical and supposedly haunted mansion), the sidewalks made of old red brick, the backside of the hand statue, and the view of three of the most active buildings on campus: Carmichael Library, Palmer auditorium, and Main dormitory. This scene seems to display many of the characteristics of the University of Montevallo, especially the valuing of history and scholarship.

Sitting at the bench on King Quad, looking straight ahead there is a large rock. This rock is spray painted by the different sororities at different times. They usually spray paint their colors, Greek letters and mascot on the rock. Right now, the rock displays Delta Gamma’s letters, colors and mascot. The side of the rock facing me has been spray-painted pink and blue with the Greek letters DG overlapping the colors. The words “Dee Gee” along with an anchor are plastered across the top of the rock. The excessive symbols, colors and letters of the sorority that have been marked on this rock signify the territoriality of the sororities and the need to either be, or at least seem to be, the dominant presence on campus.

Not only has the rock been sprayed with the sorority’s letters, but it has also been painted with all of the other symbols associated with the sorority such as the colors, the anchor, and the way the sorority’s Greek letters are pronounced. All people walking past this rock are presented with all of the information associated with this organization. This also conveys to the passersby that this is seemingly the most dominant presence on campus because this is the only sorority they see on this rock. The excessive symbols also signify the marking of the sorority’s territory. Because this rock is in an active area of campus and surrounded by some of the most used buildings, they are claiming their territory and making their presence known so most of the student body will see this message. In a way, the sorority is trying to trick the general public into believing they are either the most dominant presence on campus, or the only sorority on campus, since no other sororities’ letters or symbols are seen on the rock.

The rock is behind the hand statue – formally called ‘Becoming’. It is a landmark and popular meeting place on campus. This statue shows two hands reaching upward, one hand behind the other. The hand in front holds a set of keys. The hand in back is supposedly guiding the front hand. This sculpture signifies the professor guiding the students and passing along they keys of knowledge. This large statue, placed in a high traffic part of campus, shows the artistic side of the university. Art is incorporated into every aspect of campus life. An example of this is the painting of the rock, the ‘Becoming’ statue and College Night.

Past the ‘Becoming’ statue, one can see the Main dormitory, the oldest woman’s dormitory on campus. This building signifies the importance of the preservation of history to this university. Instead of tearing this building down and replacing it with another newer and nicer facility, the decision has been made to keep this building and use it as well even though it is beginning to show its age inside and out. For example, many people complain about the creakiness of the building and sometimes the occupants have to wrestle with a door, or a window before it opens or closes- some say this shows the university’s unwillingness to alter this historical building, even when it affects its residents. The front steps are beginning to crumble, and the outside of the building is beginning to show it’s age. Nonetheless, the sentimental value of these buildings outweighs practicality. Although many complain about the occasional difficulties of this building, no one would ever ask to make alterations and risk the possibility of changing this historical monument.

This same idea exists with the King House; it has been preserved and maintained to keep up its original appearance although it is not used regularly anymore. It seems it has no real use anymore, other than to attract people by way of it’s history. It was the first house in Alabama to have glass windows installed. Having a house on campus that is this old is a unique quality that not many other campuses can say they have as well. It is safe to say this house will not be demolished. It signifies the campus’ need to maintain the idea that it is proud of its history, and achieve individuality by doing this. It is on display in the center of an active part of campus, in the middle of many walk ways leading to different buildings.

The walkways are made of brick original to this campus. Again, Montevallo is showing the pride of having the uniqueness of the rich history. This pride overshadows the practicality of a smooth road. Many people complain of the difficulty of walking on campus because the bricks are so uneven and crumbled that they often trip, fall or scuff their shoes. Also, this same frustration is shared by drivers. Cars must drive cautiously across campus, not only because of pedestrians, but also because the uneven bricks rock the cars to and fro as they drive. But nonetheless, the bricks remain because not many other universities can say they have walkways of the original bricks used. This pride overshadows practicality and the function of the walkways as well as Main and King House.

Another building viewable at the bench on King Quad is Palmer auditorium. It signifies the oldest and most famous tradition on campus: the tradition of College Night. Montevallo and its students hold extensive amounts of pride for this tradition because it is such an important part of the college experience at this university. A bond is felt among all who attend Montevallo because they share and become a part of the uniqueness that is College Night, a uniqueness showcased when any visitor or newcomer arrives at the university. This building signifies the importance of tradition in Montevallo, and how engrained in the experience it is on campus. It shows the pride in the individuality of the traditions that sets this school apart from other campuses.

The Carmichael Library is also viewable from King Quad. The building is right behind Palmer auditorium and faces King House. This is probably one of the most active buildings on campus. Students come here for tutoring, researching, studying, learning, group meetings, escape, refuge, to finish homework, and the list continues. The location signifies the intention of the university. Placing Carmichael Library in a part of the campus that is frequented by many students daily, in order to draw in more students, shows the importance of studying and acquiring knowledge at the University of Montevallo.

The importance of history and scholarship is seen in the buildings and other symbols on King Quad. The rock signifies the opportunities a sorority has to persuade the students that it is the most dominant organization on campus. The ‘Becoming’ statue and Carmichael Library both seem to signify the importance of knowledge in the university. The red brick sidewalks, Main dormitory and King House all seem to signify the importance of uniqueness and sentimentality in history, even if this means impracticality.