This is not new. This is something a wrote a while back, before blogging was in, and before blogging was out and tweeting was in. I used to write before i had a blog. I will probably post more of these reprints here in the future because i like to read the things i write. so here it is:
My Purdue Experience
On February 26, 2005, I, accompanied by your friendly webmaster, attended the President’s dinner at Purdue University. I have only been to Purdue this one time, so my experience may not be a representative sampling of this fine institution. I will attempt to convey my experience as best as possible.
As noted above this was my first trip to Purdue University. On no previous occasion could reason be found that would compel me to visit West Lafayette. It seemed that on this occasion even the Gods disapproved of my trip. The drive from Auburn to Fort Wayne was made under sunny skies in unseasonable warmth. As the car drove ever closer to our destination the weather became more and more inclement. Sleet and snow assaulted us in ever greater quantities as we drew closer to West Lafayette, but we would not be deterred. Finally, as nothing short of an Apocalypse would prevent the completion of our journey, we arrived in West Lafayette. Their intentions frustrated, the Gods then ceased their climatic assault. The first thing one notices upon arrival in West Lafayette is the general appearance of despondency. One is struck with the impression that the buildings wished they could be located somewhere else. Shortly after the sight of the city one is assaulted by the smell. West Lafayette carries a rank odor. Perhaps this smell goes unnoticed by the residents and students as a result of constant exposure. Perhaps not?
We then began the task of locating the Stuart Center Gallery. This task was made unnecessarily difficult because Purdue elected to not label its buildings. This was the first campus I had ever been to that eschewed the convention of large signs proclaiming the name of each structure. Eventually we resorted to seeking directions from one of the students. This fellow seemed to have a poor command of language skills, but his spacial visualization and mechanical reasoning were superb. Mike informed me that such students were common at the university.
We eventually arrived at the Stuart Center Gallery. We were there for an exhibition of rare texts by such luminaries as Hobbes, Locke, Newton, and Smith. The centerpiece of the collection was a third Dunlap printing of the Declaration of Independence published in 1776, of which only three copies remain in existence. It was charming to see the assembled tradesmen and farmers (Purdue Alumni) celebrating works that were clearly beyond their comprehension. At one point one of the guests remarked, “Them there books is pretty old.”
Following the exhibition we were escorted to the Purdue Memorial Union where dinner was served. Having been to President’s dinners at other universities I expected each table to have a student hostess, or two. These hostesses are normally comely lasses whose presence makes the alumni blood flow warm with randy thoughts of young co-eds. I was surprised to see several average looking women numbering amongst the ten assembled student representatives. I remarked to Mike that it was encouraging to see that this progressive institution did not select its hostesses merely based on their appearance alone. Mike then commented, “No, these are the most attractive women at Purdue.”
Following dinner we then headed home. There was a palpable sense of improvement as we left West Lafayette. Despite the late hour of out departure, I swear that the sky actually grew brighter. Surely the Gods were smiling upon us as we took out leave from the campus of Purdue University.
- Bob
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