Lakeland College

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Alumni Spotlight "Prof" J. Garland Schilcutt H '88

Memories. What are your memories of Lakeland? If you are at all like Prof Schilcutt, your memories are based in your residence. Perhaps you have fond thoughts of your first residence hall room or that off-campus apartment where you lived with your best friends. Your memories are always tied to something that was dear to you, and your time at Lakeland probably was. "My memories revolve around locations on campus, by era of my life." Apparently, when you have spent 50 years somewhere, you start to remember time in eras.

Era #1: When Prof first arrived on campus, he was given a few options as to where he would take up residence. The choices were less than thrilling: Seiker Hall, in Franklin; a room in Jubilee; or a 40 ft. trailer, parked on campus, that someone had recently donated to the college. Prof chose the trailer. However, it is possible "mobile home" would be more fitting, as it had a tendency to move around the campus. Originally, Prof was living between Bossard Hall and Jubilee Hall, now the William A. Krueger Building. There was a little "trailer village" on South Drive that curved around behind the library, in front of where Muehlmeier is now. At the time there were mainly married students and seminarians living in the trailer village. Eventually the village was dismantled.

Era #2: In the late-1960s, after the trailer village met its end, Prof's home moved to where the old Bossard Hall once stood. Though it was a "difficult" move, he left the trailer and took on the challenge of becoming a resident director in Muehlmeier Hall. The previous hall director left mid-year, perhaps there was a reason for the departure? That did not seem to prevent Prof from taking on the challenge of working in residence life.

Era #3: After only a year in Muehlmeier, Prof was transplanted to Grosshuesch Hall. It was in the early stages of being built at that time, but upon completion Prof moved in. He remained for 13 years of memory-making. During his time in "Grosh," Prof took a sabbatical leave to complete a year at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, upon his return he was asked to give the commencement address; it was the first time a lay person had been asked to do so. Of course, he does not remember what he says but promises - "It was good."

Era #4: In 1975, Prof settled into Friedli-Hofer, also known as the "Suites," and there he remained until 1990. Prof describes the Suites as "wild" and "liberal" while under his care. It was "the place to live," according to him, and while he never saw them he is certain there were ladders propped up to the second story as a way for the students to escape under his watch. When the daycare moved into the area though, Prof decided it was time to "grow up" and move off campus. This was fine with him though because that meant he did not have to keep the curtains shut from the students!

If you really stop to think about it, your time at Lakeland was probably a lot like Prof's; albeit not as long, but certainly as memorable. You probably lived in multiple places with multiple roommates and made many, many memories. Do you have a memory you would like to share with Prof? If so, please click here.

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