“We have to think and act differently and embrace new ways of living and learning for our community.” - Marquette University President Michael Lovell
Announced this past week, it became official that the famous McCormick residence hall—home to many freshman over the past 50 years—will soon see its final days, as the famous building is slated to be demolished. Tearing the hearts of many alumnae, current undergrads and graduate students, this breaking news has been heavily rumored throughout the past year. How will these plans affect the balance of campus? What will become of the future space? And, most importantly, how will McCormick's legacy live on? Although solutions to the previous questions still remain unanswered, the latter's answer is one that can only be discovered in one way: through our memories.
Stepping onto campus the first day of freshman year orientation, many students are overcome with nerves and their minds are full of questions. Where do I go? Why don't I know anybody? Did I pack enough clothes? All of these thoughts were common, but for many Marquette students these questions left their minds once they saw the towering structure we call Victor McCormick Hall. For me, at that moment, all I could think was "This is my future home." I would no longer live at home in quiet peace with my mom and dad, but rather, with 750 other MU freshman students under the rule of a RA. I would no longer have my private bathroom, instead, I would be sharing a communal restroom with random strangers who were now my "floormates"! I would no longer be a high school commuter. I was now a resident at 1530 W Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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At first glance, McCormick Hall does not seem like much. The rooms are small (not to mention pie shaped), you have to share a bathroom with over 30 random "strangers" and not to mention the "lively" reputation that McCormick Hall has infamously received over the years. It is a big change for many, but for all students, it is a residence hall that has become a staple to the MU community. Whether an undergrad lived here as a freshman or not, the love for this "beer can" continues to grow... and the memories one has in it will never be forgotten, especially those who make it what it is.
Speaking of employees...
Who could forget the passion the Hall Directors build up within these cylinder-shaped walls, the heroes we call custodians who clean up our messes and even the desk receptionists who keep us safe! Whether it was participating on the team for the Golden Eagle Games, joining the Community Programming Council and making change on campus or taking part in the annual Mr. and Mrs. McCormick pageant, the energy was certainly felt by all within. McCormick has so much passion that even the city bystanders at the bus stop on 16th and Wisconsin emit similar characteristics while waiting for their transportation to arrive...
Speaking of energy...
Who could forget the late nights of every glorious weekend... which interestingly enough, seemed to start on Thursday nights for the most part. From the music you could hear on the second floor blasting from the 12th, to the random objects one could find in the stairwells or the elevators, every day was a new experience with a new discovery. Who else can say they saw hundreds of "ambitious" students all dressed up to endlessly wander around Kilbourn or Renee Row looking for a party, having to wake up in the middle of the night and stand outside in the Midwest's cold weather because of a pulled fire alarm (remember, R.I.C.K.), or even traveling to your friend's room and watching a marathon of movies when you should really be studying for the multiple tests you have that week? The days at McCormick never had an ending time, even though the dining hall powered off once the clock struck midnight.
Speaking of dining halls...
Who could forget the ever-so-famous McCormick dining hall. Being one of the six "chow halls," as my dad likes to call them, McCormick serves fast and is constantly booming with service. Whether it was going to get french fries at 11:50 p.m., scooping up a famously fresh "hot cookie" with creamy ice cream on top or laughing at a crazy story a beloved Sodexo worker told you, many great moments are held here. Sure, it may not be Straz stir fry or Cobeen's mac 'n cheese and nugs, but I suggest taking advantage of the brand name cereal they have and get to meet new people.
Speaking of meeting new people...
Who can forget the countless number of names, people and fellow classmates you meet while in McCormick. Not just your roommate, but every other individual in the building would soon become a kind of MU family. The word "McCormick" itself connected multiple people and became a common ice breaker for first week introductions. Spending more time in your friend's room more so than you own as the year went on, a select amount of your fellow 700 neighbors would become your confidants and first best friends on campus. They see you stressing over a test at 3 a.m. after a long day at the library, they remind you to grab your ID and lock your door and after you forget to shut it closed, they even willingly eat three cups of ramen with you as each continue to share your life story with one another. Remember what the beloved RA's tell you, "Open doors, open floors!"
Speaking of the residence hall floors...
Who can forget the bond one builds with the guys and (for later generation of MU students) girls we live with on our floor in this monumental structure. Whether it was indirectly learning the schedule of the fellow residents on your floor, participating in the weekly traditions, choosing to chill with the residents in the triple or engaging in the intense rivalry that would brew between the East vs. the West wing to see which side was superior, everything ended as a joint session to get to know one another as individuals. Whether you had East side's view of Wisconsin Avenue or the West side's view of Sobleman's and Campus Town, all floor residents would use their bond and compete together to win Community Programming Council awards (free Pizza anyone?), work together to claim the title as the best floor/wing and collectively try to make the most of your first year as a Golden Eagle.
Speaking of Golden Eagles...
Who could forget the love one feels not only for Marquette, but for the residence hall that we call home. Whether you lived in Abbottsford, Mashuda or one of the many other dorms, McCormick became a staple in the freshman year lives of many. Sure, many of these memories could have taken place within any residence hall, but for most students at Marquette, it was within the McCormick community. The place where laughter was heard, tears were shed, and friendships made, this building will never be forgotten. From the first residents to live in this hall, to future ones who can rightfully claim to be the last, it has been a journey many will never forget. As I sit outside the AMU staring at the building that has created a name and legacy for itself, I say on the behalf of many people's MU experiences...
Thank you,
Victor McCormick Residence Hall
