You never know, when pouring over architectural drawings, how successful a future academic space will be. When, in 1994, we first moved into the Alice & David Fowler Learning Center, who could anticipate with certainty the impact of the new Lovejoy Library on the lives of our students? While the architects won awards (and even a magazine article) for designing a structure in harmony with its surroundings, it is the functionality of the library that draws hundreds of students through its doors every day.
The interior exposes post-and-beam construction reminiscent of a Shaker barn. Local pine is everywhere...ceilings are high...the ambiance is relaxed and comfortable. Whole classes regularly cycle through to exercise research skills.
In contrast, the English Department is shattered; its classrooms off-limits to anyone without a hard hat. With construction of the Wise Student Center adjacent to Rooms 7-11, British Lit is taught in the Dow Projection Room...Themes in Literature is in the former cardio-vascular training room, and Nancy Schoeller's Intro to Lit is downstairs in the new Meeting House:
Despite the hardships, everyone seems to be in good spirits. These American Lit students are ready to rock in Carriage House Commons.
