Pete Millier, Director of Campus Facilities and Landscape Services led the judges on a walking tour of the University of Missouri Campus.
The tour began at Peace Park. Millier said that the historic park is one of the largest remaining “undug” and undeveloped areas in Columbia, as well as the home to a creek that runs year round.
From there, we were off on foot through the MU Quad, but not before taking a moment to admire 8th Street, the Avenue of the Columns.
Due to the the abundance of construction being done throughout campus, it is safe to say the Quad was not in peak condition. Still, remnants of the beauty remain. Julie Riley, one of the judges, snapped a few quick pictures of the columns that leave so many freshmen bewildered.
The tour was not without its stories. Pete Millier recalled the Tiger Walk tradition and the burning of Academic Hall in 1892, leaving only the six columns standing. The history of the Chancellor’s House was also told, as it acted as an infirmary during the Civil War.
With flowers in bloom, Millier made clear that MU’s campus was not only a place of higher-learning, but also a botanical garden. In fact, it is the most visited botanical garden in Missouri. The lack of admission fees and the 28,000 students who pass through these gardens everyday could have something to do with that.
With limited time, we were only able to make a loop around the quad before returning to Peace Park. Though it was short, it was difficult to leave without an appreciation of the work some do to keep the campus beautiful.
— Ashley Simpson
