Nearly 20,000 inscribed red bricks make up the roads of campus, displaying messages of well-wishes or college memories. Passersby can search for bricks that provide the most colorful comments and observations: “Richard it’s only rock and roll,” “Thanks Mom & Dad we love you more than Sam,” and “Kim Gehrke ’17 better grades than her kids.”
There are several ways to immortalize a legacy on a custom brick. The cost for alumni is $500 per brick. The fee rises to $1,000 for others, such as George P. Schwartz, whose brick declares: “I wish I went here.”
The first brick was laid on the Liberty Walk in 2009. About 12,000 are now along this path, Hillsdale’s trail of memorial statues from George Washington to Margaret Thatcher. The other 8,000 bricks are laid along other sidewalks throughout campus that are not distinguished as the Liberty Walk, such as in front of the Dow Center.
The rules for brick donors are simple, according to Jessica Drumm, Hillsdale College’s fulfillment and office coordinator.
“They could have anything they wanted inscribed on the brick as long as it wasn’t hostile or anything that would hurt somebody else’s feelings,” Drumm said.
There is also no limit on the number of bricks per patron, Drumm said.
Another way to acquire a brick is through the 1844 Society, a philanthropic and spirit group for students and alumni.
“Getting a brick through the 1844 Society requires active membership for four years, donating at least five dollars a month,” said Braden Vandyke, associate director of student and young alumni programs. “It’s probably the most affordable way to get a brick at the college for students and alumni.”
Senior Micah Hart has big plans for his brick upon graduation.
“My dream to put onto my 1844 brick would be my name, class year, and a key Bible verse,” Hart said. “In my life and time at college, I have loved Joshua 1:9. It was a verse I leaned heavily on in high school and throughout college.”
Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Others plan on taking a less serious approach.
Junior Clare Horvath says she plans to choose the phrase, “T’would he were fatter” inspired by Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.” Sophomore Thaddeus Reudelhuber is drawn to: “Help, I’m being forced to engrave bricks!”
Vandyke, who has a brick of his own, went with the classic name, graduation year, and Bible verse combination.
“I like some of the more light humor bricks,” Vandyke said. He cites “Homework uses paper, go save a tree” and “Stop looking at the ground.”
Featured are The Collegian’s 10 favorite bricks.
- “Join the Collegian Breana Noble ‘18”
- “Kim Gehrke ’17 better grades than her kids”
- “George P. Schwartz – I wish I went here”
- “Nice shoes!”
- “I know where my towel is. Mallinson ’98”
- “Richard it’s only rock and roll.”
- “Escaped by the skin of my teeth… Ian”
- “Thanks Mom & Dad we love you more than Sam”
- “Smile if you remember Saga Steve!”
- “Who is John Galt?”
Contributed to by Faith Walessa.