A Busy Post...
So this post is actually going to cover a few different topics. First off, let's just start with today. This morning I completed the Writing Competency Exam. Now, what this is is an exam to test your writing capabilities before you graduate. It's basically to see if you know how to set up a paper, organize your thoughts, and successfully portray them in your paper. This is required for all students before they can graduate. For me, I think it's a waste of time. Probably every student that attends Ball State goes through at least one English class. In that English class, students probably write papers. I believe that if by the time the student has completed the required English courses, it should suffice. You don't see a "Mathematics Competency Exam" or a "History Competency Exam," so why is there a need to waste our time to have us write one more paper to decide whether or not we can graduate? Sorry for the venting...it just doesn't make sense. If you made it so the student couldn't complete the required English courses until they could write properly, then this test wouldn't be needed. But anyway, I've finished it, it was a cinch, and it's over. Moving on.
Last night was spent as a night out at the opera. I, along with several University Singers cast members, attended Don Giovanni at Emens Auditorium. Though opera is not necessarily the music of choice for many of the cast members, we went to support several of our alumni that participated. One alumnus portrayed the title role, two others were main supporting roles, and still a few could be found in the pit orchestra. I have seen a few operas during my time here at BSU, and this was by far my favorite. I would have to say the only performance that tops this one was when I saw La Traviata at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York last year, starring none other than Renee Fleming. I went into the performance not knowing too much about this one specifically, but for the cast being of the collegiate level, I was extremely impressed. My congratulations goes out to the entire cast from last night and "break a leg!" to the cast performing tomorrow!
Now for the afore-mentioned topic, Ball State's face lift. Over the past few years, Ball State has seen many facial improvements as well as new construction over the entire campus. There was the fabrication of the Shafer Bell Tower, the renovation of McKinley Avenue, the erecting of the David Letterman Communications Building, a renovation of the Woodworth dining area, the construction of Park Hall...all over a span of around 5 or 6 years. Now, in the past year or so, construction and renovation has taken over Ball State. At the moment, the L.A. Pittenger Student Center, Irving Gym, and the DeHority Complex are all being renovated along with the construction of a new dormitory, North Hall. I've traveled around the campus and snapped a few photos for you so you can possibly see some before and after pictures. Some of the changes are astounding! The campus is absolutely beautiful! Enjoy the photos!
First, we have the completed McKinley Ave. Then we have Irving Gym BEFORE renovations started.
Now Irving DURING renovations. And what it's supposed to look like when it's finished.
Next is the DeHority complex. Here is a before and after picture. (different angle! notice the new, pointed roofs)
Finally, we have the future North Hall. Here are a few angles as they are constructing the complex. This can be found behind the Studebaker Complexes.
