Slippery Rock University - Saxigena Yearbook (Slippery Rock, PA)

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COULD A BEGINNING Autumn, while considered to be a beautiful time of the year, is traditionally viewed as a time of sadness due to the changes nature imposes upon itself. When leaves color and fall from their branches and birds fly south for a winter's rest, the Slippery Rock area is invaded by an army of students who are set on improving their minds, both socially and academically. The beat of fall accompanies the moods, attitudes, thoughts, and activities of all Rock residents. From the ice-cream socials and Mike Sardinsky's get acquainted lectures at freshman orientation to the rip roaring cheers of the football fans and pompom girls at the football games, the mysterious fall fever marches on. While the area's farmer's tractors are busy breaking the sod and turning corn stalks underground, students are anticipating their first classes, meeting their new instructors, visiting with their roommates, and reorganizing dorm rooms that have been long neglected through the summer. Recanting tales of summer jobs and experiences, friends gather down at the Hitching Post drinking and munching peanuts. Many afternoons and evenings are spent during the first several weeks of college making new friends and renewing old acquaintances. Many a couple has walked up behind Hi-Rise I enjoying the foliage and scents of Autumn. There is a certain indescribable delight in holding your companion's hand and walking through the crisp, dry leaves that cover and hide the foot paths beneath them. While in the woods, couples may share in the wild grapes ripened by the first fall frost and play hide and go seek among the cornstalks. The turning of Maple, Oak, Poplar, and the many other leaves on campus to brilliant hues of rUst, crimson, and gold introduces Homecoming Weekend and jubilantly welcomes parents and visiting Alumni to the festivities. The traditional hoedown and dinner complete with corn-on-the-cob and blueberry muf- fins adds fuel to the pep rally and fireworks display. The sparkling of the band uniforms in the midday sun reflects the fortnight's festivities of fireworks and skyrockets, while the bright banners and colorful floats of the parade send happiness and goodwill into all who line the parade's route. Falls mystique continues to lend itself to Homecoming, especially during the big game in the afternoon. The frosty nip in the air is all but forgotten by the excited spectators who eagerly watch their winning team. With the coming of Monday, Homecoming Weekend has ended, and all that is left are memories that will be remembered from time to time over the passing years. While Autumn days continue to shorten and torrents of rain inflict their rath on the entire college population, students become extremely busy beginning new assignments and finishing old ones in preparation for midterms. While fall fever looks on, students begin to make plans for Halloween evening. Costumes are designed and put together somewhere 7

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8 between cramming for exams and team practice. Finally, Autumn's biggest night approaches, and soon many Rock goblins will be busy with soap bars and toilet paper or attending one of the many Halloween get-togethers. After the passing of the thirty-first, inhabitants of the Rock become afflicted with midtermitis . Fall fever guides them through the rough two week stretch ahead, and when midterms are announced, the general populus remains calm and relaxed. With the distribution of midterms to freshmen and the upset or surprised looks on their faces. Father Time realizes the need to speed up the departure of Autumn and hasten winter's arrival. But, for several days in the beginning of November, he gives everyone a quick taste of early fall before it leaves altogether. When snow flurries appear in the skies and that first white coating covers all remainders of Autumn's existance. Rock residents realize that Fall is giving way to Winter, and as Fall disappears, people will remember Autumn '79. Because Autumn '79 was not an end, it was a beginning. A beginning in our new college adventure, whether being our first Rock Fall or our fourth. Meeting new, interesting people and encountering ideas and experiences that were strange and foreign to some helped everyone adjust and fit into their own part of the puzzle here at the Rock. — STEVEN M. PLAVNY ZEICLER