Over the weekend, I was assigned to complete a Twitter scavenger hunt all across the Ohio University campus and the city of Athens. I thought I knew just about everything I needed to know about my home away from home, but I learned a lot and had some fun along the way. Here are the highlights of my project:
Hidden gem: Academic and Research Center (ARC)
Back in underclassmen days on West Green, ARC quickly became one of my favorite places to study for a number of reasons. It has open classrooms for group study, a snack bar, comfy chairs and fireplaces, and progressive architecture. But it became my go-to study spot because it was never too crowded. I didn’t realize until I completed this project that ARC is less than three years old, and was completed just in time for my freshman year.
The Academic and Research Center’s modern chandelier.
Favorite eating spot: O’Bettys Red Hot
In my mind, there is only one answer to this question: O’Betty’s Red Hot on West State. I’ve been known to frequent the window on occasion (okay, maybe a bit more than that), but never before midnight on a weekend night. But, with careful inspection of the menu, they offer more than just hot dogs and fries. They even have a Philly Cheesesteak! Looks like I’ll be back soon enough.
Little-known fact: The Ohio-shaped garden.
I can’t exactly remember where I learned that the garden outside of Alden’s fourth floor entrance was shaped like the state of Ohio, but I have never been able to shake it from my mind. It’s all I see when I walk by. I’m always amused by people’s reactions when they finally see it for the first time. It turns out that this garden has a name. Wolfe Garden is named after 1919 graduate Thomas J. Wolfe.
School spirit: UniversiTEEs
I think I may have creeped out some of the employees at UniversiTEEs. While the woman behind the counter was nice enough to help me, she wouldn’t give me her name or her Twitter account. I’ll admit, it was kind of a strange request, but such is the life of a student journalist. Though no one at the store knew it, the Athens location has its own Twitter account.
Favorite spot: The graffiti wall.
I had some trouble picking a favorite spot on campus. The assignment asked that I not choose a restaurant or bar. All of a sudden, my top 10 spots were ineligible. After walking campus for a bit, I came across the wall, and realized that I had never seen a place like this on any other campus. Though the unlimited freedom of expression can get people into trouble, The Wall is more often is just another element that adds flavor to Athens. Proposals, announcements, and artistic murals have been adorning the walls since the 1960s.
“The Wall” on Mulberry St. outside of Bentley Hall.
Alex Hider 