Campus has more to see

As a freshman student completing his first semester, I know I'm still a rookie. While I definitely feel more prepared and experienced than I did those first few frightening weeks, "hardened veteran" aren't exactly the adjectives I would use to describe myself.I have, however, seen a good bit of this campus. True, Texas A&M University-Commerce is no giant. One can walk across the breadth of the campus in less than ten minutes. But A&M-Commerce isn't a new campus, either. After educating the youth of Northeast Texas for over 100 years, there are a few places on this campus that I believe students should see before they graduate. It's easy to spend time only in the buildings and rooms you have classes in, but I think that it's beneficial to do some exploring. In order to appreciate the University more and get a better sense of where buildings are located and what they are used for, I'm listing five locations I find interesting, in no particular order.

The fifth floor of the library

One of the tallest buildings on campus, the James G. Gee Library gives you a great view of the campus and Commerce from the fifth floor with windows that wrap all around the floor. The Library in general I think is underutilized as a study space. Every floor has seating for students and on several of the floors are study rooms that are great for students to meet in to work on group projects.

The Performing Arts Center

The student radio booth is housed in this building, but what I find fascinating is the catwalk above the theater. Accessible by a winding staircase, the catwalk is a unique and rather unknown part of this campus.

The Wathena Temple Fine Arts

For art majors and the like, this probably won't be that innovative of a choice. For journalism and other non art-related majors, the Wathena Fine Arts Center is a breath of fresh air. Here you can see talented artists at work or view already completed pieces. Artwork is always changing, and this modern building provides a nice background for the student's art.

The roof of the Sam Rayburn Memorial Student Center

Unfortunately, most students won't be able to do this for two reasons. One, faculty aren't too big on letting students on top of the roof. I was lucky enough to get up there with a University photographer with permission and supervision from MSC staff. Secondly, the MSC will be torn down sometime early next year. This entry is meant to be more informational than anything else. On the roof you get a great view of Memorial Stadium. On the way up there you can stop in the projection room, now a storage room. The projection room used to show movies for students in the American Ballroom, but it has long been unused.

Heritage House Gardens

While certainly not a hidden location, the garden next to the Heritage House is definitely a place that is underappreciated by the University. This garden is well-kept and includes benches for sitting and a water fountain in the back. It is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places on campus.