Sethers33 wrote >>
Minor trivia: That last photo he posted is the bottom room of the Lantern tower, symbolic of the Underground Railroad which went through the Union property (there are several historical markers on campus).
You enter the Multicultural Center (first floor, southeast corner of union) and go through a winding corridor (neat design) where there are a lot of built-in display cases along the journey and you end up in this really neat space which anchors the building.
Thanks for mentioning this Sethers. Just moments before I made my way down to the multicultural center, I was impressed to find a spiritual function room. It's complete with private rooms for prayer and reflection, another for washing or cleansing facilitated by a movable shower attachment, and finally a large, tastefully decorated space for gatherings complete with AV equipment. While I don't consider myself religious or spiritual, I can appreciate the facility's intended use and inspired design, and an awareness of the spiritual needs of the university community.
So as I made my way down the stairwell and into the multicultural center, I was invited to take a winding journey past 3-dimensional shadowboxes of various cultures. And yes, the journey is also indicative of slaves who traveled on the Underground Railroad through Central Ohio areas like campus. There is a historical plaque by the union bus stop listing the history of the Underground Railroad on campus that caught my eye a few weeks ago. Having grown up in a Cleveland suburb that was once a haven for those traveling on the Railroad, I really appreciated these design elements in the new Union. To be honest, I was a bit teary eyed by the time I made it into round shaped reading and reflection room.
It really did tie everything together for me. The campus is filled with people from various parts of the globe, all with different hopes and visions for a new future. This Union is a perfect place for people of different races and cultures to come together. What a positive place to come in and get nourished, refreshed, grounded and inspired while in pursuit of knowledge.