A Walk with the Aggies Down Memory Lane

Since I have asked all of you to share with us your memories of campus life at Utah State University, I suppose it is only fitting that I share mine as well. I toyed with the thought of making an anonymous submission and just including it in today's story, but I didn't think that would cut it.

The only problem is that I am not sure I can think of just one "highlight moment" to share with you all. Instead, then, I will just mention a few of my favorite campus happenings and hope that will suffice.

First, I recall a clear, warm evening when a friend and I discussed the ever-present hardships of life. As we both sat on the edge of the Quad, exchanging stories about difficulties faced and challenges overcome, we both realized that as constant as trials are, hope is just as endless and can always be looked to in the dawn of tomorrow. I will never forget the realization of that night.

Another poignant memory involves Old Main Hill, as many of yours have as well. It was there I first met the woman I now call my wife. The circumstances were definitely strange ones by the rest of the world's standards, but they were perfect for us. From the first time I laid eyes on her, I knew she was special. As others of you have shared your memories about Old Main Hill and I have reflected on my own experiences there, the thought occurred to me that there may be something magical about this favorite spot on campus.

Finally, a memory about a new chapter in my life. On a campus walk this summer, surrounded by the beautiful trees and neatly-arrayed flower beds, my wife and I discussed the things to come for our small family as we anticipated our first child. The beauty of campus only intensified our joy at the prospect of adding to our already happy home.

These are my experiences of college life at Utah State, and they are but a brief snippet of my time here. Such is the case with all of you, I am sure.

And now, without further adieu, let the walk down memory lane commence. Enjoy it and live it.

Justin Smart
Editor

Some of the memories have been slightly edited in the interest of length and appearance, but most of the recollections appear below in their entirety, and names are provided when they were included. Thanks again for sharing.

"Looking at this old picture of the Quad and the skiers on Old Main hill brings back many memories of the 1920s, when I attended Utah Agricultural College and completed a carpentry course. All of my classes were in Old Main. Our classroom was directly over the swimming pool, and there was a pipe that had a small opening where we could look through and see the girls swimming. We used to poke sawdust through the opening to tease them. The only other buildings I remember on campus are the old barn and the building where we could buy Aggie ice cream. I was a young farm boy from Geneva, Idaho, and when I got homesick, I'd go to the barn to smell the cows and the horses. I remember working all summer at a dollar a day, stacking hay, to earn my tuition. I thought, 'A whole month's wages to go to school. Is it really worth it?' Yes, my tuition was $25.00. Hard to believe isn't it?"
-- LeRoy Hirschi (90 years old)

"What I remember are the wide, logically-located sidewalks which made traversing the beautiful campus both quick and easy. I remember vehicular traffic (both bikes and cars) being respectful and courteous of foot traffic. I remember the wonderful trees, and the changing varieties of them from one end of campus to the other. I remember the feeling of being sheltered and protected -- and honored as a student -- by the thoughtful, extremely well-kept environment. Even parking, as tough as it became to find, was well thought out, and generally available. Anyone who doubts this should go to other campuses, where parking is not considered important, but rather a necessary evil. When I was there at USU, one could almost always find a place to put a car in the parking garage near Taggart -- you maybe had to pay a premium price for it if you hadn't planned ahead well, but parking space was available. I say hooray for the campus planners, and those who maintain such a beautiful campus!"

"As a horticultural student at Utah State, I had the opportunity to wander the campus and study the landscape from dandelions to maple trees. I loved studying, eating and working outside (when the weather was good...I guess even the snow was fun too!). I have fond memories of playing ultimate frisbee on the Quad and going to football and basketball games. I was also lucky enough to meet my husband on Old Main Hill while working with the landscape crew to install a new sprinkling system. I will always remember Utah State as some of my happiest years."

"You certainly struck a familiar memory. When mentioning old Main hill, the thrill of the thought charged through me telling me that I had done some of that. And after getting married and then graduating and being commissioned in the open air theater to go into the US Air Force, I was fortunate to come back and go to school, settling down at 371 East 1st South and moving to 1310 East 900 North raising seven Logan High School grads; six of whom became Utah State graduates with two other grandsons graduating from Logan High School and attending USU now, having all but three of my children and their families living in Cache Valley, Utah. I am now 70 and wish I was back in Logan where most of my grandchildren are. All my children and grandchildren seem to be accomplished, and my utmost desire is to know them a little bit longer and a little better."

"Among favorite memories of the campus are the sculptures during Winter Carnival. One of our fraternity brothers would research the judges' art work and model our efforts to improve our chances. Two winners were named 'Holy Mackeral' and 'Behind the 8 Ball.'"

"When I enrolled in 1964, freshmen were required to live on campus. I was late in registering, so I found myself in the pre-fab apartments that had been hurriedly constructed for the returning Korean War veterans as 'temporary housing.' I fondly remember those frame masterpieces...it was almost like camping out. My education about 'life' was fostered there. I am most fond of the 'A' on the tower of Old Main, for what it represented: The Aggies (as Utah's Land Grant University, perpetuating agriculture not only in the state, but in the intermountain area). Thanks for this story."

"One of my favorite memories of the campus was the day I took my then 18-month old daughter to the Quad. After a strenuous bike ride pulling her in a trailer, we stopped at the Quad to relax. I remember watching her chase different bugs and picking dandelions in the fading evening light. Although we were only there for a half hour, that memory will stay with me forever."

"While my dad went to the university, I carried my skis up to Old Main hill to ski because we couldn't afford to go skiing at Beaver. My favorite walk would be under the maples eating ice cream from the dairy building with my mom, who worked at the university, and later my wife. As a young man I remember returning to Utah State to attend a basketball camp and spending a great deal of time at the union meeting the girls who were attending some other event. As a student I remember playing softball on the Quad, and one day while walking across it, I ran into and to talked with my future wife. As a LAEP student in the old mechanical arts building my favorite view during my Junior year, from the Junior studio on the second floor, was south towards the Wellsvilles. Magnificent!"

"A time of learning, and having fun. I think of winter when we sled down Old Main Hill. In summer, the outdoor concerts and dances and the relaxed dress code. I also think of the tree covered walkways on the sides of the Quad and riding my bike on Campus. I miss those times. I am glad that I attended Utah State."
-- Kim Pratt

"I'm a senior at USU and will be graduating in May. I hope that it's okay if I say a few words here. This is the only university I have attended and I have greatly appreciated its landscape. I love the open campus, the grass fields and tall, old trees. Last fall I interviewed at several universities back East. These were universities with great reputations. I thought that since little USU's campus was so pretty that these older, more renowned universities would have even more beautiful campuses. I was disappointed when I actually saw them. They were crowded and jumbled. It seemed that buildings had sprung up everywhere. Even though there was much more water available (most didn't even irrigate), there seemed to be little effort put into making the campuses green and appealing for a casual stroll or a picnic. Of course USU has much more space than these larger universities, however I expected to see more effort put forth in making the campuses more appealing to the eye. This experience only made me appreciate USU's beautiful campus more than before. Even though there are some changes I would like to see in the landscaping at USU, I would like to say to those in charge of the green places at USU: 'Good job on making our campus look superb!'"

"My recollections of campus life always include the Old Main building, Old Main Hill, and the Quad. I remember my first campus tour as a freshman. I wasn't quite sure whether or not USU was the university for me. However, as I walked through our beautiful campus, I gained reassurance that the feelings I felt and what I saw were what college should be. I have enjoyed basking in the sun on the Quad during those beautiful springtime moments Logan brings! My fondest memories of my USU experience stem from the prestige and elegance Old Main represents our institution to be. Go Aggies!"
-- Erica Thomas

Photos by Justin Smart and Shalee Sucher