It’s Thursday night in the East Laville lobby. Trays of sandwiches, piles of cookies and an assembly of beverages sit on tables. Students gather eagerly in anticipation of the arrival of the guest speaker.
It’s time for the Honors College tea.
This week, students will hear what has become the most popular topic of discussion — University architecture.
“We host the teas to promote a sense of community among members of the honors college,” said Executive Council Chair of the Honors College Fellows, Rhonda Bengtson. “Dr. Kevin Mulcahy’s discussion about architecture of the campus has always been the most popular tea.”
Mulcahy, a professor in the Political Science Department, said since his arrival on the LSU campus he has had a love and appreciation for its beautiful architecture.
“I wanted to share this love with others, so I began extensive research about the campus history, compiled my findings and began to share them,” he said.
Mulcahy paralleled the LSU campus with an Italian city.
“I wince whenever I hear people refer to the campus architecture as Spanish mission-style,” he said. “LSU’s architecture is Palladio-style and is reflective of the Renaissance.”
Mulcahy said the architect Palladio was a contemporary of Michelangelo.
“There is nothing wrong with Spanish mission-style,” he said. “It’s just not an accurate description of our architecture. Our architecture is grander, more ambitious and based on Italian influences.”
The architecture of Acadian Hall, however, is Spanish mission-style, Mulcahy said.
“But what is odd is this building’s name does not complement its style of architecture, and that needs to be looked into and changed,” he said.
Mulcahy shed light on little-known facts about campus landmarks.
“The barriers around the Indian Mounds are in place as part of a legal settlement,” he said.
The barriers are in place because a girl sitting on the Indian Mounds was killed when she was run over by her ex-boyfriend.
The Parade Grounds also are a place of historic significance on campus.
“Until about 1968, 1969 all male students attending LSU were required to be in the ROTC program,” he said. “Every Friday, the young men had to meet and parade across the vast green grassy area.”
Mulcahy also emphasized the importance of preserving the buildings on campus.
“I do not understand the specifics of the Master Plan, but it would be a serious mistake if the African American Cultural Center, Women’s Center and the Civil War Memorial building were torn down,” he said. “That entire block should be developed as an arts and cultural center so that we can enhance and showcase our multiculturalism.”
Kim Fos, a communication disorders senior, said she enjoyed the event and found the speaker to be very knowledgeable.
“He did not just tell us information that we already knew, but he challenged us to apply what we learned into improving and maintaining our University’s beauty,” she said.
Lucas Lane, a mass communication freshman, said he attended the program because he is going to be an orientation leader this summer and felt he could benefit from learning as much as possible about campus architecture.
“Students entering this University should know as much about its history as possible, and as upperclassmen it is our responsibility to collect this knowledge and pass it on to future generations,” he said.