Anderson Hall

With the exception of a few months over the last three Summers, Anderson Hall has been my home for the past four years. Most Hardin Simmons residents live in the dorm for two years, as is required by the HSU handbook. I however am working on my fourth. For the past seven semesters Anderson has been the place where I returned at the end of the day. Some of my fondest memories have been in the walls of this building.

Freshman year - August 14th 2004 I moved into room 122 with my best friend Geoffrey Turner. Freshman year was crazy. Between getting locked out of the dorm our first night to having our suite mates set off black cats in our room life in 122 was never boring. Frequently graced by overnight visitors such as Lance Huston someone was always in our room and willing to make a late night run to Wendy's or Wataburger. We had a quote board that we made out of part of my bed and only two quotes ever made the board: "We the British have hated the French for years, you the United States have just joined the club." - Simon Cowell, and "For losing the Superbowl the Eagles don't go away empty handed. For finishing second they receive the Stanley Cup" - ESPN Magazine columnist.

Sophomore year - Room 208 was by far the coolest dorm room Hardin Simmons has ever seen. Room 208 is located in just the right position of the building that it is several feet larger than most Anderson rooms. During the 2005-2006 school year Anderson Hall room 208 housed two beds, a large desk/entertainment center, a mini fridge, an end table for toiletries, two TV's each with separate cable hook ups, surround sound stereo, with speakers suspended from the ceiling, two couches, one of them raised on a platform behind the other to form stadium seating, and walking around room. It was by far the coolest dorm room in Anderson's history. Again living with Geoffrey was always interesting always making room for late night Wendy's runs. During our sophomore year, Geoffrey proposed to his now wife, and I met and began dating my now fiancee. Things had mellowed out much more since freshman year. With the exception of the occasional rowdy attacks on the two R.A.'s on our floor Purkey, and Pool.

Junior year - If room 208 is the largest room you can get on campus room 248 is the smallest. A single "closet room" there was barley enough room to turn around, but I didn't complain much since the room was complimentary with my new job as Anderson Hall Second Floor Pound Side Resident Assistant. By this time Geoffrey had married and I was living on my own room with the responsibility of making sure that everyone else kept their rooms clean. Between constantly telling freshman (and Hunter Mangrum) to be quiet the new job came with the role of "dorm police." Between finding beer, pornography, marijuana, cocaine, liquor, girls, and even snakes in several dorm rooms our group of RA's became fast friends (with the exception of the third floor pound side RA). Bobby Cooley, Ryan Vanderland, Josh Knapp, Casey Jones, Jay Patterson and myself had some amazing times playing dbaba, 4th flooring it (Anderson only has three floors), and playing crotch bear. It was an unforgettable year.

Senior year - As one of the senior RA's I know am living in another oversized room, room 105. The room that is directly under the room from my sophomore year (208). Still living on my own this year I have had more room than I know what to do with. My room is a makeshift office, kitchen, entertainment room, bedroom, and bathroom. Having proposed, to my now fiancee I will only spend one semester in this room, a semester that is almost over. This year I have realized just how quickly time can pass. Having broken my foot I have spent the majority of the semester hopping around my room. And it mostly feels as thought I am simply waiting here. Waiting to move out, waiting to get married, waiting to graduate.

Well my waiting time is almost over. I am now spending my last nights in Anderson Hall because as of December 16th Anderson will no longer be my place of residence. I am moving out, because I am getting married, and shortly after that I will graduate. Seven semesters I have walked the halls and staircases of Anderson. I have met lifelong friends. I have experienced once in a lifetime opportunities, I have studied and I have played. I have caused trouble and I have worked. I have pulled all nighters and I have slept through class. I have made Anderson my home.

My Thoughts: September 14th 2004 - December 16th 2007...Not a bad run!!

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