As the years pass, the facades on Court Street buildings or the presence of different organizations might change, but there’s one thing that stays the same for Ohio University alums: the spirit.
“I remember OU as the things at its core,” said Jonathon Lorek, a 2006 graduate who studied audio production and a 2007 recipient of a master’s in communication technology. “The people there are all good-natured and good-hearted … I think that’s pretty unique.”
The ’70s: A Campus in Turmoil
Jonathon is one of four members of the Lorek family who attended OU. His brother, Joseph, graduated in 1997, and his parents, Joe and Wendy, met during their time at OU. They graduated in 1970 — the same year as President Roderick McDavis — but there was a hiccup when it came to their commencement.
In 1970, many aspects of Athens had yet to take their modern forms. The Hocking River hadn’t been redirected, South Green didn’t exist and railroad tracks went through the middle of the city. But the 1970 academic year ended not with a peaceful send-off, but an evacuation.
“One of the last images I have of driving out of town is seeing a National Guardsman standing in every space on Court Street with a gun,” Joe said.
In the aftermath of the Kent State shooting and in response to violent protests against mandatory drafting for the Vietnam War — and the war itself — the university closed its doors, preventing Joe and Wendy, along with the rest of the senior class, from walking at commencement.
Andy Alexander, visiting professional at the Scripps College of Communication and editor of The Post at the time, said there were three groups within the college in terms of attitude: people who were violently protesting, those who supported peaceful protest and some who opposed the protests all together.
“(I) thought, ‘people are going to be killed here,’” Alexander said, adding there were also town influences in the conflict.
However, when returning to Athens for their son’s 1997 graduation, Joe and Wendy found the university was allowing seniors from the class of 1970 to walk at commencement. The pair walked with Jonathon in 2006.
“We left in a rush (in 1970), and there was a degree of incompleteness,” Wendy said. “Not only did it complete our journey, but it provided us the opportunity to experience a graduation ceremony.”
The ’80s: Calm After the Storm
Jeffrey Anderson, an instructor in the College of Business, attended OU more than a decade later. His college experience wasn’t tumultuous, but the notable difference between campus then and now, he said, was the drinking age.
“There were many school-sponsored activities that supervised the drinking of alcohol,” Anderson said. “There was also a lot of live music when I was an undergrad. There were concerts in The Convo every quarter.”
The Convo was one of the buildings Anderson noted as being constant over the years.
“It looks like it did the first time I got here,” said Anderson, who graduated in 1981 with a bachelor’s in business administration and with his master’s in 1987. “It was a real icon … When you come into town and see it on the highway, you think ‘this is a big-time place.’”
The ’90s: Fond Memories
Joseph Lorek, who graduated in 1997 with a degree in sociology and criminology, said the biggest change from his time on campus is the presence of a Student Union. He added that he wasn’t pleased with some of the renovations of the buildings.
“I’m conflicted as far as the campus goes,” Joseph said. “I like the traditional stuff, but not the modern stuff. I know that you have to keep with the times to some degree … It’s still beautiful.”
Joseph last visited campus a year ago, but has some Bobcat connections where he resides in Medina, Ohio.
“I always love coming down to Athens,” he said. “My roommate from down there was my best man. I met another alumnus that was the same major, same year. … Our kids went to the same daycare. Now our families are very close. I have a lot of fond memories (of Athens) and wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
The 2000’s: A New Millenium
Jonathon, the latest graduate from the Lorek clan, was part of the Marching 110 and Singing Men of Ohio. He said while the music was different — they played tunes from artists such as Gwen Stefani and Evanescence — the ideas in song selection were still the same.
“The 110 has always (picked popular songs), but with the technology of YouTube and Twitter, (it has spread),” he said. “They’ve been deserving the recognition for a long time.”
A rapidly changing landscape
Tom O’Grady, an Athens resident for 33 years who is currently serving as the president of the board of Athens County Historical Society and Museum, said over the past 40 years there have many different buildings on and off campus that have been demolished. In addition, more than 70 percent of housing stock in Athens is now short-term rental units for off-campus students, something he said changes the nature of neighborhoods in Athens.
“Many of these decisions (for changes in Athens) were made by university administrators who no longer reside in Athens county,” O’Grady said in an email. “Many of these decisions were made with the approval of University Trustees who have never lived in the community. All are public servants, using public money and destroying public property while resisting public involvement in decision processes.”
O’Grady cited many different buildings wiped off the map, such as the tuberculosis ward at The Ridges and future targets for demolition like Clippinger Laboratories.
“Athens is a small town with a large public university,” O’Grady said. “When the university shrugs, the entire community feels it….What is most troubling is that Athens and OU are members of the same community and that together, they are a place worth preserving. Together they can be leaders in preserving a sense of place and a sense of community and demonstrate the sustainability of policies that protect our heritage and make it an important part of our future.”
Although significant changes continually happen in Athens and the community, Wendy said while she’s been back often, she barely has noticed the differences over the years. The discreet changes, in her opinion, pay homage to the city and OU’s commitment to keeping tradition alive.
“I know that people move on in their lives, but if you’re an alum and you graduated from OU, then I think you’d be surprised,” she said. “They’ve moved forward with the times, but yet you don’t notice.”
eb104010@ohiou.edu
@EmilyMBamforth
