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Show 0.O O . & & O 09... v.. i CcunrDpims teDDs 54s own story . . . By Heather Wallentine features editor-Signpost Walking around the campus of Weber State University, you pass many buildings along your trek Swenson Gymnasium, Miller Administration Building.Wattis Business Building. Now that it's spring, many students are drawn to the scenic walk around the Lindquist Plaza more often referred to as the duck pond. All of these names come naturally to us around 30-40 years after they were built on this campus. Each has a story behind it, each has its own history. The campus of WSU, historically known as Weber Stake Academy, started out with no buildings and quickly became a thriving campus meeting the needs of students and faculty. In 1949, the college decided to expand to its new campus on Harrison Boulevard from it sold location on 25th Street, five places were priorities: an administration building, a heating plant, a place for classrooms, a library and a stadium. The first piece of the campus built was the stadium, dedicated in September, 1953, when the first game was played there between WSU and San Diego Junior College. However, the first buildings on campus were buildings one through four. Classes took place in these new buildings beginning Sept. 22, 1954. These four buildings were also used for the other three priorities: a library, heating plant and administration building. From there WSU continued to expand. Twenty-two acres of land south of the first four buildings were purchased in 1955. In this area today is the Stewart Library, the Collett Art Building and the Val A. Browning Center. During that first school year lawns were planted and window coverings were put in place. In the following years, up until the most recent addition of the student services center, the many other buildings on campus were built and dedicated making WSU what it is today. The campus of WSU has come a long way from its beginning on Harrison almost 43 years ago. It has worked its way up from the home of a small junior college to a major university for students to gain experiences and education in the many buildings and surrounding area. In this section, read as the campus tells its story... Lindquist Plaza's retention pond adds beauty By Ginger Bristow features wriler-Signpost On May 6, 1977, an audience of over 200 people gathered to dedicate the Ada Lindquist Plaza and fountain as the Lindquist family pushed the controls releasing the 60-foot spray of water for the first time. Since that day thousands of students, staff, faculty and Ogden residents have enjoyed the display of water and landscaping, finding it a calming presence at Weber State University. In "Weber State College.. .A Centennial History," Richard W. Sadler wrote, "In February of 1976, approval was given to place a fountain adjacent to the retention basin which was under construction on the campus." The retention basin was mandated as part of the construction of the campus. WSU physical plant manager, David Maxson, said the purpose of the basin is to catch run-off and prevent flooding. "When you build blacktop and concrete structures, you prevent the natural process of rain water as it perks through the ground," Maxson said. The water in the retention basin eventually connects with Ogden River. John Lindquist, son of Ada Lindquist, said the family was asked by President William Miller to donate $100,000 to add the fountain and landscaping to the area around the retention basin since the state would not pay for it. The family agreed, asking that the area be named in honor of their mother. Both John and his two sisters, Jean Pell and Barbara Tanner, attended WSU. The project was completed under President Joseph Bishop. The Lindquist children had been seeking a way to memorialize their mother who passed away on Feb. 11, 1962. She had been active in civic affairs in Ogden for many years. When she was 17, she attended Keister Ladies Tailoring School in St. Louis. She returned to her home in Ogden and opened a Keister school, teaching many young women the tailoring craft. ; LI crifelJl 33, vi;r,; f:1-- V'-PS, 6 ffSk 0. ( I t t f" Jbri f. V- 1 !f -H"cSj fi- 'f .... -' -" " " -; . 3 , n 1 ; '-i n 7 ' ' i 1 1 I . 'J v , t . 4- The Ada Lindquist Plaza consists of trees and shrubbery, with walkways surrounding a reflecting pond and a large fountain adjacent to and connecting with the flood control retention basin. Water is pulled into the reflecting pond and fountain by electric pumps from the retention basin and cascades back to the main lake. The fountain spray reaches a height of 60 feet and is lighted for night viewing. It also has an automatic wind device to lower the spray during windy times. The retention basin was developed to store run-off and underground water on campus. It is about 2 12 acres in size and capable of holding 22 acre-feet of water during peak runoff.The popular phrase "the duck pond" is not an accurate term. Maxson said that after the fountain was added, a couple dozen mallard-looking ducks were purchased to help beautify the area. However, over the years the residents of the neighboring communities have taken to donating their unwanted water fowl to the school. These anonymous donations have created quite a problem for those who care for the reflection pool. This fall the building and grounds department will embark on a new approach to thinning out the feathered fowl. Maxson is hoping for a cooperative effort with the help of the zoology department to help find homes for many of the ducks and geese. Maxson said his department drains the pond twice a year, once in spring to clean up the winter debris and again in late fall to prepare the fountain and basin for winter and to protect it from freezing. |