Written by Debbie Knubley
The Todd Beamer Student Center, built in 2004, is the hub of Wheaton’s social interaction. Much of your time will be spent in one the three campus eateries, the coffee shop, the post office, study and conference rooms, or the game room. Next door is the Sports and Recreation Complex (SRC), aka fitness heaven. This structure contains three gymnasiums, a rock-climbing wall, a large indoor pool, dance and aerobics studios, and a recently renovated workout facility complete with free weights, nautilus equipment, and cardio machines. The Science Building, completed in 2010, is a gorgeous, state-of-the-art center, complete with a greenhouse and an observation deck. As this is such a new addition, Armerding hall, the old science building, is still hanging on to its place in the Quad, alone with its asbestos.
Wheaton’s campus is very aesthetically pleasing. Green grass, towering trees, and enchanting flowers adorn the entire campus. Blanchard Hill, located right in front of the iconic castle that is Blanchard Hall, is perhaps the most beautiful place on campus. Benches rest under the trees, which burst forth in a vibrant autumnal display every September. Across the street, the Billy Graham Center (BGC) stares back at Blanchard through huge, white pillars. Edman Chapel, host of the thrice-weekly mandatory chapels, is another remarkable structure with a very elegant interior décor—the blue stained-glass windows give even the grayest day a nice tint. Nevertheless, the campus is not perfect. The BGC is a complete architectural disaster inside, and everyone new to the building ends up asking for directions. Edman’s audio-visual technology is outdated, and even something as simple as a CD might not play in chapel. All things considered, the campus does have its issues, but most students are very satisfied with the mix of up-to-date facilities and classic charm.