Back to (My) Future

Written by Doug Goodnough

Did you ever see that television show Cold Case? The show chronicled the work of police detective Lilly Rush, who sometimes went back decades to solve previously unsolved murder cases. During strategic points in the show, it would “flash back” to the time the murder occurred, showing the (sometimes much) younger version of the present-day people involved in the case.

That’s eerily been my early experience returning to Hillsdale College. Not the murder part, but seeing people and places in present day and remembering their younger versions.

Graduating from Hillsdale in 1990, I stayed around a few years to help with the Charger baseball team and be the sports editor at the local newspaper before my career took me away from Hillsdale. Since that time, I’ve been back to a few Hillsdale events over the years, but not enough to offset the feeling that a serious amount of time has passed.

Thankfully, there are still some friendly faces on campus that I remember as a student, and that has served as a great welcome beacon as I “relearn” Hillsdale. However, those faces have seriously changed in 30-plus years (including my own, I’m sure). I’ll not share those names to protect the innocent. However, there are also some places that have drastically changed as well. Let me share few:

First, the old Knorr Student Center is still there, but it has been transformed. Gone is the famed “Ethan Allen Room,” once the main gathering place for students hanging around between classes. That space is now walled off in place of Information Technology server rooms. However, the old snack bar is still intact, looking much like it did back in the day. And how many of you hung around at the counter nearby, waiting for the next class? It’s still there! However, the bottom level is much different. The bowling alley and bookstore are gone, replaced by a broadcasting studio and offices.
Most of the residence halls (don’t call them dorms!) are still there. Simpson, McIntyre, Galloway and Olds are newer versions of themselves, and, of course, the fraternity and sorority houses are still standing and looking better than ever.
The field house was remodeled, and I really like the segmentation they’ve done to it. Much better than the “wide open” days of Philips Arena. And Muddy Waters Stadium and the baseball and softball fields are pretty much an updated version of what I remember. That indoor track and field facility, however, is mind-blowing.

Thirty-plus years is a long time, but I’m happy to report the Hillsdale College that I remember is still there. In fact, in my mind, it has been upgraded beyond whatever I thought was possible during my days as a student.

Don’t believe me? Then come back and find out for yourself! Our White & Blue Weekend is May 19-22, and will give you an entire weekend-plus to reacquaint yourself with campus. If you can’t make those dates, Homecoming 2022 is October 8. And make sure to look me up! I’m sure I’ll look the same as you remembered me.

Doug Goodnough, ’90, is Hillsdale’s new director of Alumni Marketing. He’s looking forward to connecting with fellow alumni in new and wonderful ways.

Published in March 2022