Courtesy of Norah Anderson ’29
What is Conn? Who is a Conn-er? What makes Conn… Conn?
Many things have become customary to daily living on Conn’s campus; there are so many little moments, spaces, and objects that make Conn so special. This campus may be small, but it is mighty. Conn isn’t just a place; it is a community built with intention, shaped by the values of a liberal arts education that prioritizes inclusion, belonging, and meaningful relationships. It is the shared traditions, spontaneous conversations, and quiet corners that make Conn such a memorable place to spend your four years. Many items symbolize the student body here at Conn, valuing the variety of personas on campus.
Nike Statue in South Campus
The Nike statue hidden between Jane Addams and Harkness embodies many attributes that Conn students have, and represent. The Nike Statue was a gift from a local attorney, and has called Conn its home since 1939. This statue is a replica of the larger Nike Statue located in Paris, France. It is made of white marble and is a goddess walking in seeming triumph. The Nike Statue symbolizes overcoming, victory, and swiftness- especially after battle. Overcoming challenges symbolizes all of the hard work that Conn students put into their education, sports, friendships, and their goals. The hiddenness of the Nike Statue creates a little bubble of peace around it, inviting one to sit (there is a bench parallel to the statue). The weight of experience is felt, and the Nike statue represents the often perseverance required from students daily.
The Swing Set Outside of Harkness Chapel
Throughout your life, you get waves of nostalgia for your childhood. There are moments of embracing fun, feeling the sun on your skin, laughter, and consuming happiness that resonates with you. Swinging on a swing set and seeing who can get the highest, or jump the farthest, is one that many share. On Conn’s campus, we have a swing set where we can relive these flashes of nostalgia. Behind Harkness Chapel, on the left, is a swing set enjoyed by students throughout the year. Walking by, you can almost always find someone swinging. Living in the moment, while also enjoying a few seconds of serenity with your friends, on the phone, or for a spur-of-the-moment swing-set ride. Embracing every version of yourself and finding things you still love through your life is something Conn students do. That can look like playing your sport in college, learning languages, making art, or simply pushing your best friend on the swing set.
Inside Coffee Grounds’s Bathroom
Heading inside one of the coffee shops on Conn’s campus, living right below KB, is Coffee Grounds. With it being student-run, the entire coffee shop is filled with students getting a quick drink, snack, studying with a friend, playing games, or working their barista job. With the various lifestyles, personalities, friendships, and memories that are all collective in a Conn Students experience here, taking a trip inside the Coffee Grounds bathroom, the walls are covered in graffiti. With little sayings, drawings, and comments from all the previous students who also took a trip to Coffee Grounds, you can look around at little moments of joy expressed by Conn’s students.
The Lawn Chairs On Tempel Green
The center of South Campus is Tempel Green, a space for all to come together and enjoy the sun on their skin. With the option of sitting on a picnic blanket and watching a soccer game with friends, there are also clusters of lawn chairs provided by Conn as a space for students to sit and enjoy the nice weather. With the ability to soak in the sunshine or look at the stars, these chairs represent Conn’s push to live in the moment and enjoy the earth. The lawn chairs seem to call your name when you’re walking with friends at night and don’t want to turn in, or when you’re on the phone with your family and your legs are tired from walking in loops.
Fizz/Yik Yak
Sharing opinions, awkward situations, and a mutual understanding of being exhausted- Yik Yak and Fizz are the places to hear random thoughts, all provided by fellow Conn students. If Harris’s ice cream machine broke, Fizz and Yik Yak will be the first to know. If there is an email sent out with information everyone needs to read ASAP, you’ll hear about it through Fizz/Yik Yak. When a squirrel gets really comfortable being close to students, you’ll know. A platform to announce thoughts anonymously by Conn students helps create a form of community, based on dining updates, roommate moments, and honest thoughts about a situation.
