If you have ever walked into the University Union from the South Perimeter entrance, and happened to sense an odd presence to your right, you may have noticed the garish and oddly large likeness of the building’s namesake. Yes, that portrait of the balding man in wire-rimmed glasses is the university’s own former president Julian McPhee. You will also note that the adjoining overpriced mediocre coffee shop, Julian’s, was also named after the president who labored an astonishing 33 years at Poly. Students all over campus can be seen feeding their caffeine addiction with mugs and cups bearing his name. It seems President McPhee was an enabler then, as much as he is now. Then, he became the father of the Polytechnic University system, now he enables students to partake of one of the most addictive substances on the planet– way to go! The building, affectionately known by freshman as "Number 65," is often bustling with activity from snoozing students to religious revivals. Right outside the University Union is the Mustang monument built in memorial for lost students. Lost as in defunct– not those who are stuck in the limbo between their official and desired majors. The plaque commemorates those who died in WWII efforts as soldiers and also those who worked to maintain peace during the post-WWII era. There is also another plaque honoring 17 football players who died en route to play Bowling Green in Ohio. This memorial was very much a downer.
On to happier things, the only monument I found near the H.P Davidson Music Center was a bench in memory of William J. Kwan Jr, who was only 21 when he passed away in August 2003. Shoot, that’s not happy at all. Apparently, he was a son, a brother, and a friend who brought love, laughter and music to all. Phew! Neither Davidson or Kwan produced very interesting Google search results.
After a romp around campus, I found only one construction site (to my knowledge) located in Poly Canyon. They are building a new parking structure and dorms to accommodate the remaining 99% of students currently unhappy with either residential facilities or parking– mainly the lack thereof.