Four new picinic tables will sit on Hillsdale College’s quad thanks to this year’s senior class.
The class officers and college administrators have agreed on four teak picnic tables and benches in the hopes they will benefit students every day.
“We wanted something that students would use,” said Sally Klarr, senior class treasurer and co-chair of the gift committee. “We looked for something that would improve the day-to-day life of students.”
The senior class, represented by a committee of six students and two class officers, has a budget of $1,200 to donate a gift to preserve their memory at Hillsdale.
The committee and the administration worked together to choose a gift that both improves and beautifies the campus.
“I think it will benefit students for a long time,” Vice President for Administration Rich Péwé said.
The committee consisted of seniors Caroline Cheatum, Joe Viviano, Christian Mull, Katie Beyer, Abigail Mayner, and Scott Scharl. It was co-headed by Senior Class Vice President Brittany Baldwin and Treasurer Klarr.
The committee met three times to brainstorm. They came up with multiple ideas, but were limited by their budget.
“My ideas were out of our price range. Solar panels and wind turbines cost way too much,” Klarr said.
Scharl, who said he was on the committee to provide “goofy ideas,” was also shot down.
“The phrase ‘water feature’ was thrown around, but eventually tossed out because it was too much money,” he said, in reference to purchasing fountains.
The committee also thought about beautifying the tunnel between Lane and Kendall, but decided that would not benefit the entire campus.
Once the committee narrowed down its ideas, it presented them to Director of Career Services Joanna Wiseley, the senior class moderator. Péwé looked at the ideas next and made recommendations based on the college’s needs.
In approving a gift, Péwé said the college looks for something that improves the unity and look of campus and fits into the college’s long-term plan.
“Oftentimes, there are items we might want that are not prioritized,” Péwé said. “They are things that might deal with want or aesthetics.”
The idea of picnic tables was a collaboration of ideas from both the college and the committee. The senior class budget only covered two tables. The college is subsidizing the other two tables, however, since purchasing the outdoor seating was already in their plan for the campus.
Past senior gifts include the Moller Amphitheater behind the library, benches, and, last year, a magnolia tree in commemoration of recently deceased music professor Eric Jones.
“It was a really meaningful gift because they wanted to do something that, every year at a certain time, would remind them of Jones’ legacy,” Péwé said.
It’s not water fountains, but Scharl said he thinks picnic tables are a good idea
“I hope there are many nice days in the future,” he said. “I hope people come to enjoy the beauty that our quad has to offer.”