by Amanda Ecker

Three times a week, I fight my way through the crowds, put through the doors that are impossibly hard to open, and walk carefully up the stairs that are too small to take one step up but too large to take two. Always in a rush to get to work, I never stopped to take the time to admire the majestic beauty of the building that I was in. I had never even noticed the paintings on the ceiling of the entryway!

Working at the ID Center, I have been actively involved in the decision for the design of the new OSU identification card. As is well known, it is the desire of many people to have the Memorial Union as a center focus point since it is one of the most photographed buildings in the state of Oregon. There was recently a card design presented that contained a picture I did not recognize. It turns out that it was a picture of the little beaver statues that adorn the main doors of the MU. In my hurry to get where I was going, I hadn’t noticed something that contained the essence of my school spirit.

The Memorial Union embodies that spirit in a multitude of ways; from the small mascots on the door handles and entryway to the many functions that take place within its doors. It acts as a place of refuge from the difficulties of college life and a meeting ground for new acquaintances and old friends.

I realized that I had been taking advantage of something that was there for me to see every day and so I began to look at the MU with new eyes. The people crowding me when I try and get to work are there to enjoy a quick nap or get a little bite to eat between classes. The doors that are hard to open are adorned with my school mascot and are making my arms stronger! And the stairs are too small for taking only one step are made that way on purpose. They are made so that I will slow down and smell the roses. They are trying to hint that I should enjoy my time here at Oregon State because it will come to a close sooner than I think. They also force me to look up at the murals in the Memorial Union entryway and be in awe at the beauty that surrounds me, if only I take the time to enjoy it.