willamette university and fall

After I taught my two classes today, I decided I would stroll through the campus and take some pictures, to preserve the memory of this utterly beautiful day. It is early/mid October, and the resplendent colors and warm sun filled me with such exuberance and hope that I wished the day would never end. But as I write this essay the sun is already rushing to its Western destination, and the trees are, as it were, whispering to me that they have but few days of transplendent brilliance before they turn in for their Winter sleep. I write, unabashedly, to prolong these memories. Join me as I walk through the campus of Willamette University in Salem, OR.

A Few Background Words

Willamette prides itself on being the oldest university West of the Mississippi River. Though it began in 1842 as a training school for Native Americans in the Willamette Valley, it quickly changed its mission when it realized that the Indians weren't ready to abandon their "heathenish" ways and embrace the White Man's religion. The Oregon Territorial Legislature incorporated the university in 1853, though, as with most Western colleges, it really didn't get going until after the Civil War. Here are a few scenes from it.

Here is the front of Waller Hall (north side). Waller is the "Old Main" of the campus, having been built in the mid-19th century. The man for whom it was named, Alvin Waller, was part of the "Great Reinforcement of Methodist missionaries who came to Salem in 1840. He was an irascible guy, from all accounts I read. Not bad to have a big building named after you.

Waller Hall opens onto an expansive lawn on the North that ends at State Street. Across the street is the Oregon state Capitol building.

This 1939 structure is really quite impressive. The old, classical-style Capitol burned in 1935, but the people of Oregon erected this Depression-era structure, with the gilded Pioneer atop it, just a few years later. We are looking from the lawn in front of Waller toward the Capitol. The Legislature next convenes in January 2007.

On the lawn in front of Waller, to the West, is a grove of five redwood trees. This grove was planted in 1941, in the early days of WWII. Redwoods cast such a peaceful presence over the campus. On the day I took the pictures of the trees a girl and guy were sitting under the trees, strumming their guitars and singing quietly to each other. Then, the right-hand picture depicts the Mill Stream that passes through the center of the campus. This is as close as we can get to Norman Maclean's "River" that runs through "It," but it still is very nice.

One building I spend a lot of time in is the Library. The most distinctive thing about it is its name: The Mark O. Hatfield Library. Senator Hatfield was born in 1922, graduated from Willamette and launched his sterling political career from the South side of State Street. He first was a state representative in the mid-1950s, becoming governor in 1959 and then, after two terms, US Senator from 1967 until his retirement in 1997. People felt (and still feel) passionate about Senator Hatfield, and Oregon is fortunate to have had this figure of national stature. Then, on the right, is a plant from the Martha Springer garden, tucked away on campus behind the Sparks athletic center. You really have to be quite alert even to find it. On this wonderful October day I wandered into the garden, in which there were Asters and Graceful Cinquefoils and Vancouver Gold ground cover, and then, all of a sudden, this beautiful Pokeweed. Hope it comes through for you in the picture.

And , this is enough for my Willamette tour. I think it has refreshed me, and I hope you have enjoyed it, too.

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