PHOTO BY JERIAH DUNK Laura Glendenning is a senior who resides in Stegenga Hall. She is one of several seniors on campus who have lived in the residence halls for the their duration at NW.
Why are they still here? The community bathrooms, small closets and sometimes obnoxious wing-mates cannot always be the most ideal living quarters. So what is so appealing about dorm life?
The most common response was something along the lines of “the upperclassmen in my dorm set a really good example for me”, “it didn’t feel right leaving”, and “the community is unlike any other.” There has to be more to the story.
One senior from each of the six dorms shed a little light on that question.
Cody Groskreutz Colenbrander Hall
Q: What is your most cherished tradition of your dorm?
A: Coly Christmas has always been a favorite. And this might be inappropriate, but the guys will know what I mean. NBS’ing is always a good time. The random shenanigans throughout the dorm are also pretty fun and something that are a big part of living in Coly.
Laura Glendenning
Stegenga Hall
Q: Why did you choose to live in the dorms for all four years?
A: I am a people person; I love people a lot and getting to know them. Investing in others and getting to know them makes me really happy. The atmosphere and community is also so friendly and open that I don’t feel like I am away from home. Steggy is my second home.
Jake Gilleland
North Suites
Q: What was your experience like as an underclassman?
A: I lived in West as a freshman, and that was great. Then moving into North as a sophomore was cool too. Every dorm has its own traditions, but North was new, so it didn’t have any traditions. We were in charge of messing around and coming up with them.
Keely Bracelin
Fern Smith Hall
Q: What is your role, formally or informally, in the dorm?
A: Well, I am an RA, so I do everything that entails. But I have always had sort of a leadership position, and I try really hard to get everyone I live with excited about what’s happening on campus or on our wing. Being part of the activities is the best thing, so I want them to be there.
Jordan Starkenburg
West Hall
Q: Why did you choose to live in the dorms for each of your four years?
A: Living in the dorms takes intentionality. It is set up in a unique way; it forces you to live with lots of people and sacrifice a lot of comfort. But it is the kind of environment that facilitates maturity and lots of growth for both under- and upperclassmen.
Honna Brown
Hospers Hall
Q: What is your role, formally or informally, in the dorm?
A: I am the discipleship coordinator for Hospers, but aside from that, there aren’t many roles in Hospers. We are all alongside each other; inspiring, struggling and discovering. We all have time to make mistakes and to succeed in things; we all learn how to give and receive grace. We are all leaders and followers.
Just like each student has their own reasons to live in the dorms for all four years, each residence hall itself has its own culture and traditions.
