College Scavenger Hunt 6 Odd Things Found Around College Campuses

(Author of Mercyhurst Ghosts: Alicia De Roma (a.k.a The Wandering Loco Coco)

Today, I want to tell some stories about unique exhibits at six campuses. These can make excellent ice breakers when talking to other classmates on campus or at parties. 

1. The Lone Tombstone- Kent State University - Kent, OH

I would first like to start this with one bit of quirkiness from Kent, OH, as I spent a few years in that college town. On East Main Street, along the row of frat houses, there is an odd anomaly in the wall outside one of these houses. Painted over one of the stones, some weird engraving looks like a tombstone. Well, that’s because it is a tombstone. Initially, someone’s tombstone was replaced by a better tombstone in Kent Cemetery. Rather than tossing the old tombstone, it got repurposed to help build a wall. Sadly, I don't have a tale if you are expecting a ghost story. It’s just a regular repurposed tombstone. However, you could use this to make up a ghost story. 

2. Only Yesterday- Carpenter Collection-Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center -California State University, Long Beach

One of the tour stops we did with the Carpenter’s tour group was to the campus at California State University. Over the years, Richard generously donated to the college’s arts and culture. Aside from donating money, they also donated awards and memorabilia to showcase in the lobby.  Among the collection is the drum set that Karen once went ham on. She was more passionate about percussion than she was about singing. On a mannequin behind the drumset is her shirt, Lead Sister.

3.The Bluemudia Triangle - Walter Pyramid-California State University, Long Beach

Don’t worry, students and alums of this university. I am not leaving out this one. Outside the theater, you will see a giant pyramid.  The Walter Pyramid was built in 1994 to serve as an arena for athletics. This blue wonder houses 4,000 seats. It was formerly called The Long Beach Pyramid until it was renamed in honor of Mike and Arline Walter. Many athletic events are still held at this marvel structure. 

4. The Spark of the College- Oberlin College Statue

In the downtown college town of Oberlin, Ohio, pedestrians pass by a giant spark plug buried halfway in the ground. Artist Claes Oldenburg created this. It was commissioned in 1970. The artist claimed that the plugs are nothing until contact is made. 

5. Mercyhurst Ghosts- Erie, PA.

For this part I had my sister Alicia come in to tell this short tale about a legend from her college days. She is a graduate from Mercyhurst college located in Erie PA and told me this story which I begged her to share on here! Take it away sis!

Back in the 1940s, a young woman was a student at Mercyhurst. She was deeply in love with her fiancé, a soldier who had given her a beautiful engagement ring before leaving to serve in World War II. She cherished the ring, symbolizing their love and plans for a future together.

While her fiancé was at war, She received a letter that he was killed in the war. She was so devastated that she went running into the chapel, looking for someone to console her. She removed her ring and placed it on the Infant Baby Jesus (Infant of Prague) in the chapel. At that very moment, she said to herself “Because I cannot be with the love of my life, I am going to give myself to the Lord.” She decided to become a Sister of Mercy. 

A couple years later, She receives another letter that was actually from her fiancé coming to find out that he was alive and not killed in the war. She could not believe in her eyes and was in a rage when she found out! Then, She was suddenly torn between staying the vows of being a Sister of Mercy, or she was supposed to return to the love of her life. 

She fell into a deep depression and her Sister of Mercy told her it would be best for her just to go away to relax for a bit. They placed her upstairs in Old Main. From that moment, The ring she received from her fiancé had horrible and special powers. It was known that that ring should not have been touched ever since what happened to the girl. She ended her life. After dark, it was known that you should not enter Old Main or the chapel.

This young woman’s engagement ring remains a poignant symbol of love and loss, and her story continues to be told to new generations of Mercyhurst students.

6.  Oh Deer! It’s Stratus the Deer - Oberlin, Ohio 

Outside the Oberlin Heritage Center, a statue of a deer stares majestically out. It was first owned by a local businessman, Marx Straus, who ran a dry goods store in Oberlin.  He kept the statue in his years in his yard till 1895 when it was given to Chauncy Wack, who ran a hotel. 

In 1900, it was given to the Dietz family after Wack died. The Dietz family was known for Peter Dietz, a well-known labor priest. At one point, he gave the statue to his sister. Before she died in 1992, he gave the statue to his nephew, Joe Revers. Later, when Joe’s nephew took possession of the deer, he donated it to the Oberlin Heritage Center. Thanks to care and restoration, the statue still stands proudly 130 years later.

These are some conversation starters I have in mind for now. If you have exciting college tales to share, email them to thewanderingoddball922@gmail.com.