The '90s - the decade that brought Ohio University students Nirvana, Operation Desert Storm and the Internet. Although it may not seem very long ago, OU has changed a lot in the last 10 years.
I remember going home for Winter Break and running into a person I knew from high school
said Kori Gassaway, who graduated in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Instead of exchanging phone numbers for the first time we exchanged e-mails.
The world was experiencing vast technological advancements, and OU rode the wave by installing cable television in dorm rooms, creating Bobcat Cash and installing personal computers in the residence halls.
When I was there no one had computers or e-mail
said Lisa Perry, a 1993 graduate with a bachelor's degree in communications. Typewriters with recall were really high tech. But it was nice; we still had the experience of doing things the old way - you had to be creative.
In the midst of this technological revolution, major events were happening in the world. In 1991, President George Bush announced Operation Desert Storm.
Everybody was shocked
Perry said. It was the first time in our lives that anything like that had happened. People really bonded together.
Gassaway remembers the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City.
I was in my room in Bromley Hall
and I was so shocked
she said. I can remember crying; it was so sad.
Although the '90s saw shocking world events, students kept busy by doing many of the things they do today. Laurie Manke-Mitchell, who earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in communications in 1992 and 1994, remembers eating at the Burrito Buggy, Bagel Street Deli and The Pub.
She also enjoyed seeing basketball and football games, and comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno.
People went to the NBA from OU
and The Convo was filled for every game
she said.
Enrique Hermosilla, who earned master's degrees in international studies and higher education in 1991 and 1992, spent his free time attending multicultural events like the International Street Fair and African Night.
Halloween was also a major event each year. Manke-Mitchell said the event started out much smaller and grew to a city-wide festival in her final years at OU.
It really allowed students to let out their stress and tension
said Hermosilla. At first I was surprised at what went on
but it really became a part of campus life.
It was a really exciting time
