#beaumont tower

[johnschneiderblog]

A Palm Sunday memory

Back in the old days, when our kids were too young to resist parental guidance and before Sharon and I soured on the Catholic Church and the sins wrought by its corrupt hierarchy, we had a Palm Sunday tradition.

We’d gather, at 9 a.m., with other members of St. John Student Parish, at Beaumont Tower on the MSU campus. Then, carrying palm fronds and singing a hymn, we’d make the short march - procession style - to the church, for 9:15 mass.

In a family text exchange yesterday, the kids cracked the usual gentle Palm Sunday jokes about the ritual.

In an unrelated incident, which ultimately became related, Sharon and I decided to take our glass, metal, etc. to the MSU recycling center yesterday. We knew there was a decent chance we would find it closed because of the pandemic, and it was.

But since we were already there, we decided to park our car and take a walk through the campus. Somehow, we ended up at Beaumont Tower and decided to retrace the steps of our former life.

Although we carried no palm fronds and couldn’t remember all the words to the hymn, we nonetheless shared some rich reminiscences on a sunny spring day.

[ihavegoodnewsandbadnews-blog]

[im-gonna-travel]

[kitkattittat]

A cute little old lady just was all, "yo, I like your earrings and I play the bells in this here tower, come see the tower if you wanttttt" and I was all, "yeah, cool, okay, thanks!" so I saw the inside of Beaumont Tower 

[lifeatstate-blog]

SummerTime

With the relaxing weather and the casual climate that comes with this time of the year, it really makes one not want to do anything. At least, that's the feeling I get a little. It's nice going to work at the Writing Center, and I'm enjoying both my classes. The only thing is, getting up in the morning and trying to discipline myself to get all of the work done is hard. It's not entirely what I'm used to and I'm still adjusting to it. Normally I only have one class in the summer and the classes that I've taken have been more of a writing focus. The in person English class I'm taking is, but the online IAH is more busy work and reading. It just takes a lot to get me to focus. Work is going really well though. I've had clients and everything. I feel like I'm starting to get into the swing of things more now. I still get nervous but it's usually over nothing. The only problem I keep having is I feel like I talk too much during a consultation but I think part of that is the nerves too. The only thing that is really starting to affect me is the getting up at 8:30am everyday. I mean, technically it's not that early in the scheme of things, but it's definitely not something that I'm used to. It's all relative. Between class and being at work I have to be up. I feel as though I try to be productive and then I feel ten steps back from where I thought I was. Part of me wishes that West Circle Rd was still open and that the library stayed open later during the summer. I feel like I need it now more than during the school year. Just a random side note: They are starting to tear down Morril Hall so if you have the opportunity, go see it before it's gone! One of, if not, the oldest buildings on campus aside from Beaumont Tower. Also, there are a lot of High School graduations happening this weekend and next, so be aware of traffic. Congrats to everyone graduating from High School!

[lifeatstate-blog]

Finals week has begun which means the semester of classes has ended!! Everybody dance! It also means that it's that time of year for the midnight scream, which I'm sure you all know about. Every night at midnight during finals week students walk outside or stick their head out the window and scream. It's a way to release all the stress that builds up because of finals. I haven't decided if I'm going to do the midnight scream this year. Since I live  in Spartan Village with a bunch of international students and grad students/visiting professors, I'm not exactly sure how they would feel about hearing a scream at midnight.  Yesterday was the 2nd Annual Ring March at MSU. Basically, if you order your MSU Graduation Ring before a certain date, you have the option of them holding your ring until this march. You select someone to be your honorary presenter and you and your guests walk from the Spartan Statue to Beaumont Tower. We took the path way alongside the Red Cedar. It was really beautiful even though it was raining. At Beaumont Tower, there's a speech and you are presented your ring. The night before, it spends the night in Beaumont Tower. After the ceremony, you can tour Beaumont Tower if you wish. Everyone should. It's one of the oldest buildings on campus and it was built over the remains of the first hall on campus. I actually did go up Beaumont Tower. I probably won't do it again because it's very claustrophobic going up there. It's definitely worth it as a Spartan just to say you've done it though. I also got my picture taken with Sparty! Yay! Two Spartan bucket list items crossed off.  Good luck with finals everyone!

[inanoffwhiteroom]

What is your favorite MSU landmark and why?

Beaumont Tower

It is gorgeous inside and out, up close and from a distance.

It has a romantic tradition unique to true Spartans.

It is in my favorite part of my favorite campus.

It is useful, both as a geographical landmark and a clock.

The carillon is beautiful and distinct.

Access to the inside is limited, making it mysterious and special.

The staircase reminds me of visiting castles when I was a kid.

It is engraved with the phrase “Whatsoever a Man Soweth,” which connects one of my strong moral and personal beliefs to the agricultural roots of the school.

Now that the MSC smokestack is gone, it is the only pre-University status landmark visible from inside Spartan Stadium.