Connecting Campus
Masculinity vs. Femeninity
Following our research and walking tour of Michigan State University, we have discovered the overwhelming masculinity in all of our selected sites throughout campus. The Spartan Statue, Cowles House, Beaumont Tower, and The Rock are all examples of apparent masculinity.
When we first walked up to the Spartan Statue we could not help but notice the how powerful the Spartan Statue appears. This power comes from the strong, defined upper body the Spartan Statue was built to have. Even the stance that the Spartan Statue is in conveys dominance over others. It is also clear to see that the Spartan Statue follows the stature of a man. With all of these characteristics, we concluded that the Spartan Statue demonstrates a masculine character overlooking all of campus.
Cowles House is often the home of the President of the University. Current President, Lou Anna K. Simon, preferred to live in her home in the East Lansing area. Being the home which presidents live in, we decided that it shows power. Throughout history, it is often males who are the individuals in control. Even Michigan State's history reveals this. Since 1857, Michigan State has had twenty presidents, nineteen of which have been male. Some femininity may enter into the Cowles House with the current president being a female, but when the overwhelming majority of the previous individuals in power have been males, it was hard for the three of us to say that the Cowles House represents femininity. We do believe that there is a possibility for the Cowles House to someday be related to femininity, but not at the current time.
As we walked from Cowles House to Beaumont Tower, we really started to see the masculinity of campus taking form. Upon arriving to Beaumont Tower our beliefs were proven true. Walking up the this grand building in the middle of campus, we saw a giant engraving of a man, known as the Sower. We believe the Sower represents male dominance. The history of this building also reveals masculinity. Beaumont Tower was built to commemorate the fist building on Michigan State University's campus, College Hall. College Hall was a building that stood on campus during a time when only male students attended Michigan State University, at that time called Michigan Agricultural College. The construction of Beaumont Tower was to remember the building that once stood in its place. Because this building represents a time when only men attended the school, it is as if the university never wants to forget its roots... masculinity.
The Rock, over time, has depicted masculinity at its finest. Masculinity is typically characterized by strength, dominance, and persistence. Rocks, in general, are symbols of immovable strength, and The Rock is no exception. It is remnants from a melted glacier, which proves the power it has to be able to withstand the test of time. The Rock was so powerful and immovable by even the burliest of men, that it took a team of twenty oxen to move it across campus. These are characteristics shared by masculinity and The Rock.
Two of the places we researched that showed some feminine characteristics were Morrill Hall and the Music Building. The initial name given to Morrill Hall was “The Women’s Building.” Morrill Hall had a long history of femininity by being the women’s dormitory and having domestic facilities. This was the location where women spent a majority of their time, when women were first allowed into the college. Over time Morrill Hall has become overcome by masculinity. On our walking tour, we found that although the building no longer stands, there’s a dedication to Morrill Hall. On this dedication, there are symbols of a sower etched into the sides. The sower has been a representation of masculine hard and prosperous work. Also, within Morrill Hall’s history, the dynamics of the building had changed from completely female to being infused with heavy maleness. The name of Morrill Hall had changed from The Women’s Building, to Agricultural Hall, to the Morrill Hall of Agriculture, to Morrill Hall. The final name of the building came from the man who influenced the establishment of land grant universities. This once feminine symbol has become overwhelmed with masculinity over the course of its history.
The Music Building also shows some feminine characteristics. The concept of music, by nature, has been understood to be something of gentleness, beauty and tenderness, which are also characteristics given to women. While on our walking tour, we became entranced with the melodies flowing from the windows of the Music Building, truly depicting the beauty of the building and what it symbolizes. Also, the location and scenery of the Music Building are inherently natural and feminine. The building is embraced by foliage and secluded from the intensity of campus life. We felt at peace and secluded while visiting the Music Building. On the front of the building, there are many images of women, along with children, which shows the femininity of motherhood and being a woman. However, the Music Building shows some traits of masculinity juxtaposed against the feminine characteristics. There are male figures present on the front of the building, which may symbolize dominance of the male species. Also, the quotes that lie on the front of the building, surrounding the name of the building, are quotes from men. This symbolizes the strong hold that men have in our society and even though something may be beautiful and feminine, it is usually accompanied by some type of masculine force.
When we first walked up to the Spartan Statue we could not help but notice the how powerful the Spartan Statue appears. This power comes from the strong, defined upper body the Spartan Statue was built to have. Even the stance that the Spartan Statue is in conveys dominance over others. It is also clear to see that the Spartan Statue follows the stature of a man. With all of these characteristics, we concluded that the Spartan Statue demonstrates a masculine character overlooking all of campus.
Cowles House is often the home of the President of the University. Current President, Lou Anna K. Simon, preferred to live in her home in the East Lansing area. Being the home which presidents live in, we decided that it shows power. Throughout history, it is often males who are the individuals in control. Even Michigan State's history reveals this. Since 1857, Michigan State has had twenty presidents, nineteen of which have been male. Some femininity may enter into the Cowles House with the current president being a female, but when the overwhelming majority of the previous individuals in power have been males, it was hard for the three of us to say that the Cowles House represents femininity. We do believe that there is a possibility for the Cowles House to someday be related to femininity, but not at the current time.
As we walked from Cowles House to Beaumont Tower, we really started to see the masculinity of campus taking form. Upon arriving to Beaumont Tower our beliefs were proven true. Walking up the this grand building in the middle of campus, we saw a giant engraving of a man, known as the Sower. We believe the Sower represents male dominance. The history of this building also reveals masculinity. Beaumont Tower was built to commemorate the fist building on Michigan State University's campus, College Hall. College Hall was a building that stood on campus during a time when only male students attended Michigan State University, at that time called Michigan Agricultural College. The construction of Beaumont Tower was to remember the building that once stood in its place. Because this building represents a time when only men attended the school, it is as if the university never wants to forget its roots... masculinity.
The Rock, over time, has depicted masculinity at its finest. Masculinity is typically characterized by strength, dominance, and persistence. Rocks, in general, are symbols of immovable strength, and The Rock is no exception. It is remnants from a melted glacier, which proves the power it has to be able to withstand the test of time. The Rock was so powerful and immovable by even the burliest of men, that it took a team of twenty oxen to move it across campus. These are characteristics shared by masculinity and The Rock.
Two of the places we researched that showed some feminine characteristics were Morrill Hall and the Music Building. The initial name given to Morrill Hall was “The Women’s Building.” Morrill Hall had a long history of femininity by being the women’s dormitory and having domestic facilities. This was the location where women spent a majority of their time, when women were first allowed into the college. Over time Morrill Hall has become overcome by masculinity. On our walking tour, we found that although the building no longer stands, there’s a dedication to Morrill Hall. On this dedication, there are symbols of a sower etched into the sides. The sower has been a representation of masculine hard and prosperous work. Also, within Morrill Hall’s history, the dynamics of the building had changed from completely female to being infused with heavy maleness. The name of Morrill Hall had changed from The Women’s Building, to Agricultural Hall, to the Morrill Hall of Agriculture, to Morrill Hall. The final name of the building came from the man who influenced the establishment of land grant universities. This once feminine symbol has become overwhelmed with masculinity over the course of its history.
The Music Building also shows some feminine characteristics. The concept of music, by nature, has been understood to be something of gentleness, beauty and tenderness, which are also characteristics given to women. While on our walking tour, we became entranced with the melodies flowing from the windows of the Music Building, truly depicting the beauty of the building and what it symbolizes. Also, the location and scenery of the Music Building are inherently natural and feminine. The building is embraced by foliage and secluded from the intensity of campus life. We felt at peace and secluded while visiting the Music Building. On the front of the building, there are many images of women, along with children, which shows the femininity of motherhood and being a woman. However, the Music Building shows some traits of masculinity juxtaposed against the feminine characteristics. There are male figures present on the front of the building, which may symbolize dominance of the male species. Also, the quotes that lie on the front of the building, surrounding the name of the building, are quotes from men. This symbolizes the strong hold that men have in our society and even though something may be beautiful and feminine, it is usually accompanied by some type of masculine force.
"Whatsoever a Man Soweth"
Before we were officially called Michigan State University, we were known as Agriculture College of the State of Michigan. Because of our Agricultural name, we had a symbol that represented this title: The Sower. The Sower is a representation of our Agricultural background and our influential nature of knowledge. This figure along with the engraving of the Galatians bible verse "Whatsoever a Man Soweth" are portrayed on The Beaumont Tower. This connects to the theme of masculinity that is exemplified throughout our campus. The figure shows off his broad muscles, preparing to drop seeds on the path that will feed the people that walk through it. With the Beaumont Tower bells still ringing in our heads, we walked toward Morrill Hall and discovered that the figure is also represented on this site as well. After observing this character, we realized the dominance of this man and how important he is to the story of our campus. Its masculinity continues to represent the agriculture that is such a huge part of Michigan State’s history.