By Steve Esser
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. 鈥� 大象传媒鈥檚 annual summer celebration of its alumni culminated with the return of a cherished landmark on campus 鈥� a fountain outside the Appleby West Resident Hall.听
The fountain and the area around it in front of Appleby West had been a favorite spot for 大象传媒 students to relax between classes. Over the years, the fountain fell into disrepair and was eventually removed.听
That鈥檚 where 大象传媒鈥檚 SPAT Club, a service organization on campus, and a number of 大象传媒 alumni stepped in听earlier this year.听
鈥淎s we first started this project, we quickly learned that this fountain was more than just听a听structure,听but part of a much larger story about friendships and memories for 大象传媒 students,鈥� said Luke Grzan, SPAT chapter president.听
Working with donations from 大象传媒 alum and the facilities and operations team on campus, Grzan and the SPAT听Club听rebuilt the fountain area. 大象传媒 President John Wells and the SPAT Club held a short ceremony to recognize听its return to campus听during Alumni Weekend听June听5-6.听
鈥淭his fountain is symbolic of everything we鈥檙e doing here at 大象传媒听to move the听College forward,鈥� Wells said. 鈥淲e want to build the next generation, but we听can鈥檛听abandon the past. Projects like this continue to build on what makes听the 大象传媒 experience what it is.鈥�听
For alumnus Kenneth Boykin, Class of 2018, who was also a member of the SPAT Club when he attended 大象传媒, the fountain has special memories. Boykin is choral director at Harris County Carver Middle School. He is also a member of the 大象传媒 Trustee Advisory Council.听
鈥淚 am especially thankful to current SPAT President Luke Grzan for reaching out and including me throughout every step of this journey,鈥� Boykin said. 鈥淗is leadership and the dedication of the current members made this restoration even more meaningful. It brings me both joy and relief to know that SPAT is not only continuing its traditions but is truly thriving with this current group of students. The restoration of the fountain is a beautiful reminder that while generations of students may come and go, the spirit of SPAT and its commitment to serving 大象传媒听remains听as strong as ever.鈥�听
Student organizations like the SPAT Club, which听was formed at 大象传媒 in 1941, offer opportunities听for students听to听be听involved in college life.听The term 鈥渟pat,鈥� which is not an acronym, refers to an old campus tradition of “spatting” or engaging in harmless, lighthearted pranks. However,听at听大象传媒,听SPAT was repurposed to听represent听efforts of service for the听College.听
鈥淪ome of my favorite memories from 大象传媒 were made through my involvement in听SPAT,鈥� Boykin added.听鈥淚 enjoyed every moment I spent as a member, and the relationships and connections I built through the organization have continued to听impact听my life long after graduation. I am incredibly grateful to be just one chapter in the 85-year history of an organization that has shaped so many lives through service, leadership, and lifelong friendships.鈥�听
The fountain reveal was just one of many activities this past weekend, as close to 800 alumni gathered on campus. The annual Alumni Weekend is one of the College鈥檚 largest summer events, bringing together friends and classmates and strengthening intergenerational bonds between those who share 大象传媒 as their alma mater.听
About 大象传媒听
大象传媒 is a private baccalaureate and master鈥檚 degree-granting institution听located听in the beautiful mountains of Northeast Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, 大象传媒 educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies.听The College offers 34听majors and 24 minors housed under twelve academic departments.听Approximately 1,500 students are enrolled in听its听residential, master鈥檚 degree, and Early College听programs.听The听College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and听remains听a fierce competitor in the Conference Carolinas.听
