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Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Observer

Notre Dame dorms part two: Senior superlatives

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Liya Blitzer
Liya Blitzer | The Observer


Breen-Phillips (1939): Best dressed

After the 1940s, Notre Dame’s dorm architecture began an unfortunate descent into a style combining the worst aspects of lego pieces and a slab of concrete. However, BP was fortunately built before that, featuring dormers and protruding bay windows despite being built in a record-breaking 165 days at the end of the Great Depression.

Farley (1947): Most irresistible 

Farley is the finest. You pass her on the way to North Dining Hall. She’s got angel wings, and her captivating halo lured even Fr. Jenkins himself — probably the descendant of the Sirens. In 1965, she was also one of the first “stay halls,” in which freshmen were set to remain in the same dorm as upperclassmen. Irresistible. 

Fisher (1952): Most likely to be chosen for “Queer Eye”

Whoever calls Fisher “The Cadillac” is lying to themselves. His hallways look like the passageways of a cramped navy ship, and I’ll stop the commentary there. As a result, he has received many nominations from his concerned sister and brother dorms to receive a makeover from the Fab Five. 

Pangborn (1955): Most ready to move on

Originally intended as a temporary dorm to house G.I. Bill veterans, Pangborn has an interesting history of only being able to keep her residents for one year. After that, her inhabitants leave to occupy bigger and better places. Maybe the lions that flank her entrance scare people away?

Keenan (1957): Class clown

Keenan’s got an unmatched sense of humor, cracking jokes at unexpected moments, especially in the cold days of February when his classmates are beginning to succumb to wintery despair. He’s hip to current events and is always ready to make a fool of himself by shedding (more than) a few layers of clothing in a dance.

Stanford (1957): Most laid back

Located near the end of North Quad, Stanford just strolls up to the dining hall and walks straight back. Not a complicated path, and not a complicated guy. He sometimes pops up with a weird cry that supposedly sounds like a griffin, but he’s generally pretty chill.

Lewis (1965): Most likely to become a nun

Lewis was originally constructed to house graduate student Sisters. With colors that resemble Our Lady’s gleaming gold and blue, she proclaims her devotion to Mary 55 years later. She also hosts Lucernarium, candlelit nighttime prayer, on Sundays. Enough said. 

Pasquerilla East (1981): Most likely to rise to Greatness

PE is an unassuming character, but she’s bound to one day rise as high as her floor eight. Her residents also call themselves the Pyros, and as we know, heat rises.

Pasquerilla West (1981): Biggest flirt

PW thinks she’s some hot stuff. She’s always trying to get with the boys and weasel her way into the limelight. She crowns a queen every year and elevates herself by putting down her twin PE. Proceed with caution, because she’s a femme fatale.

Siegfried (1988): Most athletic

Somehow home to what seems like the entire hockey team, Siegfried dominates not only varsity but interhall sports as well. His residents sport the name “Ramblers,” which, preceding the “Fighting Irish,” was the name of Notre Dame’s varsity athletic teams.

Knott (1988): Most studious

We don’t know a lot about Knott because he keeps to himself. Located significantly close to the library, he spends many late nights escaping his prison-like building on the 10th floor, with a large portrait of his namesake nearby to keep him company.