Editor’s note: The following story was written by students in the Fall 2021 the Writing for Media class as part of a project to capture the mood at Southern during the morning hours. On Thursday, September 23, the students spread out across campus to observe morning activities and conduct interviews. Here’s what they discovered.
The rising sun peeks through tall windows, projecting a glow across the Thatcher South lobby walls. For a moment, the scene distracts from the deafening silence. The only identifiable noise is the hum of air conditioning fans with the occasional footsteps of a resident making her way out the double doors. As the residents hurry to breakfast and class, they pay little attention to the beauty of the glowing room.
Not far away at Thatcher Hall, dozens of girls enter the lobby, each about to have a different day. Some rush, some stroll, some are sleepy and some are loud.
Such is life on Southern’s campus as the university comes to life between 8 and 9:15 in the morning. It’s a time when some students and faculty are just rising, and others are starting their first classes of the day; a time when some campus dwellers savor the last fleeting moments of slumber, while others jump into the first hours of the morning.
As the school day begins, the atmosphere at Talge Hall appears hushed and drowsy. One can hear the desk worker typing away at the computer and the front door closing as someone heads to breakfast. Two gentlemen pass each other in the lobby, sweatshirt hoods pulled over their eyes, grunting a quick “What’s up?” to one another.
Though Carl Patterson, dean of men, started his day at 7:15 a.m., he said he’s not really a morning person.
“All my days are good once I get going,” he said. “But morning people never cease to amaze me.”
On the far side of campus is Campus Safety, a 24/7 operation already wide awake. Mornings find officers patrolling streets, directing traffic over by Southern Village and standing by for any possible event.
At Hulsey Wellness Center, the morning has an active start. There are five people using the gym, focused faces dripping perspiration. One woman runs around the track for at least an hour.
Over at the Village Market, there is no music or lively student chatter — only the sound of one cashier scanning a few customers’ items. Commonly known as the VM to Southern students, it is quiet and calm at 8 a.m.
Brian Schlatter, freshman finance major, began working at the VM around the start of fall semester. Schlatter stands out among the early morning shoppers with his cheerful and helpful attitude. He greets each customer with a smile and “good morning” as they come through the line.
Meanwhile, the Dining Hall is peaceful, sparsely populated with a smattering of students seated next to the tall, wide windows lining the space.
The cafeteria is located in Wright Hall, Southern’s main administrative building, which sits right in the center of campus. At 8 a.m soft instrumental music plays in the lobby.. Guests are expected to arrive for tours starting promptly at 8:45 a.m.
Soon, there are many students walking on the promenade, either rushing to class or getting out of an 8 a.m. class. Some are seated at the outdoor tables socializing with friends, but most are headed toward many of Southern’s academic buildings where their classes are held.
Summerour Hall is peaceful; and inside Daniels Hall, the aroma of tea wafts alongside notes of soft classical music throughout the dim hallways. Likewise, inside AdventHealth Hall, soundless halls give the building a sleepy feel. Those who have risen early to study or work are quietly fulfilling their duties.
At Mabel Wood Hall, a building usually so full of music, it’s almost eerie to walk through and hear a single violin and some construction work.
Beside it is Brock Hall, where a sea of students shuffles towards their respective classes, the veil of tiredness across each face. Doors close and hallways remain undisturbed until that wave of students exits for their next classes or to grab breakfast.
Another vital building on campus is McKee Library. Usually, only the clicking of keyboards and whirring of the printer resound in the empty building this early. At 8 a.m., freshman biology major William Rios is the only student on the first floor of the library, printing an assignment for his morning class.
Sandwiched between McKee Library and Hickman Science Center lies the Bietz Center for Student Life, the newest building addition to Southern’s campus. Some people are already working, studying and maintaining the building at 8 a.m. On the first floor, about three students are sitting on chairs studying.
The next wave of students coming in around 9 a.m brings a different energy. Many have already finished their first classes of the day and are looking for a place to relax.
Sophomore biology major David Lazcano said the Bietz Center is a great place to re-energize for the rest of the day.
“The Bietz Center in the morning is a diverse place that helps invigorate, as well as calm the many students that enjoy it,” he said. “The center provides an early morning escape from the different stresses [that students face].”
Charlene Arnold, Brandon Bell, Celeste Brooks, Frank Canizares, Kalista Cartagena, Cassidy Connolly, Lauren Fenwick, Stefanie Green, Maria Heranndez, Valeria Izaguirre, Gilmer Latorre, Elsie Pak, Theodore Rogers, Lesieli Savelio, Hannah Scalzo, Genesis Vetura, Maynard Wheeler and Shayla Yanez contributed to this project. Pak and Fenwick served as lead writers.