By SHAY GORDON | Guest Writer
Most students do not know the significance of the residence hall names.However, one freshman in particular could definitely explain the significance of the Rawlins dorms that he will be staying in this year.
Ben Rawlins, a freshman this fall, has a very good reason for choosing to live in the Rawlins residence hall.
The dorm was named after Ben’s great-grandfather, George Rawlins Jr., who taught at APSU from 1946 to 1964 and also served as the chair of the chemistry department.
When Rawlins and his father were checking out the residence hall options on the APSU website, they both noticed the name of one dorm in particular: Rawlins Hall. The choice seemed rather obvious.
“My dad was the one who really wanted me to stay in that dorm,” Rawlins said. “I said, ‘Let’s do it.’”
Rawlins Hall was opened during the 1960s when the campus experienced a large increase in enrollment.
When Rawlins’ grandfather George Rawlins III, a professor of education and the son of Rawlins Jr., was actively teaching on the campus, he would often joke that the dorm was named after him.
Rawlins III retired in 1998, but was still disappointed to hear that the dorms will be demolished in a few years in order to accommodate new residency halls.
However, upon hearing that his grandson will be staying in Rawlins Hall, he was rather pleased.
“I think it’s great he requested it,” Rawlins III said. “I just figured he got assigned to it, but I think it’s great he wanted to stay there.”
When asked what he will say when his freshman peers question his last name and its ties to the dorm, Rawlin believes he will follow his grandfather’s example and inform them it was named after him.
“I’ll definitely try,” he said. “I might pull it over on a few people.”
Rawlins will be one of approximately 600 students will be moving onto the APSU campus this fall.
Even with the family legacy, Rawlins has never seen the residency hall in person. Like many of his fellow new students, this fall will be a fresh start for him.
“I have never even been in Rawlins Hall, so it’ll be totally new,” Rawlins said. “I’m looking forward to it.” TAS
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