The Lyndon Alphabet is a series where NVU-Lyndon students debated the “most well-known” and “best” parts of college life, picking the top experiences for each letter of the alphabet. Finally, after two years of debate and research, the team is ready to present that list to our readers.
The Critic staff debated about what to include on the list. Only 26 items could be selected, but the team argued that a few more were just as important to recognize.
Honorable Mentions
The “Awkward Steps”
By Pat Hamilton
Steps for a giant living in a human-sized world, the stairs leading up to LAC from Veterans Park are wider than most. Their curved structure is a nice visual from the outside, but the long steps themselves leave you doing a set of lunges every time. These steps are awkward for sure, but at least you have a landmark for giving directions.
“Doc”
By Quinlan Peer
Doc, whose real name is Kevin Farrell, is known for making venison jerky and shooting hoops in the gym at ungodly hours in the morning. And, believe it or not, he teaches at NVU-Lyndon, as well. Doc has been a math professor at Lyndon since 1990, making this the start of his 32nd year.
Emotional Support Animals
By Kaitlin Flannigan
These furry faces are all over campus, with the wagging of tails, meows, and whistling from a guinea pig. Emotional Support Animals, also known as ESAs, bring comfort and friendship in a fluffy package. They help ease the stress for some campus residents and provide feelings of home from far away. Familiar paws–past and present–include Dawson, Willow, Maxeanne, Newt, Baby, Sunny, Charlie, Koko, and Amber.
Mailroom
By Carter Lee Toro
There is nothing more splendid than feeling like a kid on Christmas when an email from the mailroom arrives in your inbox. Head down to the mailroom to find Rhonda behind the counter, like Santa with her room full of gifts. Whether you are ordering dorm essentials off Amazon or doing some online retail therapy, you will need to check in with her or her student workers to get your packages. Don’t forget to check your letterbox as well! Perhaps a birthday card awaits you!
Outing Club
By Pat Hamilton
The home for outdoor enthusiasts at NVU-Lyndon… The thrill of climbing a mountain ledge… The serenity of a walk up to President’s Hill… All are aspects of Lyndon’s Outing Club experience. So whether you’re looking for a full day of white water rafting or a 20-minute hike on the campus trails, the Outing Club has outdoor activities for all experience levels!
Veteran’s Park
By Carter Lee Toro
Veterans Park is the heart of campus. It not only connects physical buildings but brings everyone together in a common area. The grass lawn we now call Veterans Park included a pond not too long ago. Now that the pond has been filled, the open space in the middle of campus is great for hosting events or playing a game of frisbee with friends.
Zoom
By Quinlan Peer
There is nothing like waking up at 8:29 AM to go to your 8:30 AM class. Zoom also allows students to turn off their cameras at 8:31 AM and go back to bed, as long as you wake up before the professor ends the class.
And now, The Critic presents the official Lyndon Alphabet!
The Lyndon Alphabet
A: Atmospheric Sciences
By Quinlan Peer
Atmospheric Sciences, better known as “ATM” on campus, is one of Lyndon’s staple majors. The major includes a variety of concentrations, including Broadcast Meteorology, Private Industry, and preparing students to go to graduate school. A fun fact about ATM is that Jim Cantore graduated from the program in 1986.
B: Buzz the Hornet
By Alexandra Huff
Lyndon’s good friend Buzz the Hornet is one of the friendliest faces on campus you can expect to see at sports games, Admissions events, and orientation. The Hornet became the campus mascot shortly after Lyndon Teachers College became Lyndon State College. It’s rumored that a survey was taken to choose a new mascot, and that student poll may or may not have been tampered with. Nonetheless, the results were accepted. Since then, Buzz has gone through some cosmetic procedures but will always be a staple of the Lyndon campus.
C: Campus Activities Board
By Carter Lee Toro
The Campus Activities Board is responsible for nearly every Lyndon event and trip. The students who make up CAB work hard to plan and run all the fun activities. So next time you see a booth offering snacks or crafts in the Twilight Theater lobby, or go on an off-campus trip to Six Flags, make sure to thank CAB.
D: Ducks
By Pat Hamilton
Wait! Make sure you let the line of ducks pass in front of you as you make your way to class or work!
A secondary mascot for many students, the ducks love to spend their days relaxing by the library pond. The campus ducks are on a permanent beach day while it’s warm; i’s no wonder students can often be seen sitting on the bend, admiring their way of life. Much nicer than their geese counterparts, the pond ducks are fun to be around. Maybe we can learn a thing or two from them.
E: Etruscan Stripes
By Pat Hamilton
This giant metal structure is located outside between the theater and Vail Center. Artist Hank Jensen designed and built the 7 1/2 ton, 10-foot tall sculpture, which was put in place in 1969.
Some people on campus may know this piece as “The Etruscan Lady,” believing the metal structure to be a woman. While no one knows where this rumor started, the theory is that Jensen designed the “woman” to go against society’s definition of beauty. While this may not have been the intended interpretation of Jensen’s artwork, it is undoubtedly a welcome one.
F: Fountain
By Pat Hamilton
You don’t quite realize how quiet Lyndonville, Vermont can be until the Library Pond fountain shuts off sharply at 10 PM–or if it’s removed from the pond for the winter season. During the warmer months, the Library Pond fountain gives the campus some relaxing ambient sound to go with the view. Shooting water up to the second floor of LAC, the fountain is a favorite photography spot on campus for students and a visual staple of NVU-Lyndon.
G: Greggfest
By Alexandra Huff
Greggfest started as a fundraiser in 2014 for NVU-Lyndon student Jake Gregg who was diagnosed with myeloid leukemia. The two-day music festival continued after Gregg passed away in his memory, bringing Indie bands to Vermont and giving local artists a larger stage to perform on. The annual festival is free for all Lyndon students and a tradition they look forward to every year.
H: Hornet’s Nest
By Pat Hamilton
The finest eating establishment NVU-Lyndon has to offer, the Hornet’s Nest is our on-campus sub-shop, on the second floor of the Vail Center. With pizza, burgers, quesadillas, milkshakes, and more, the Hornet’s Nest gives students and staff options for breakfast and a 10:30 PM snack. Just don’t get American cheese, or you may never hear the end of it!
Many students use the dining area to do school work, and during the pandemic, it’s one of the few places where students hang out–albeit with masks and fewer tables.
I: Information Desk
By Isabella Mertens
The library’s information desk is there to help students with their academic affairs. They help with checking out and returning books, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks. They have headsets, laptops, iPads, and other various technology available to be signed out by students. The library workers are there for anyone who has a problem or question, and if they cannot resolve it, they will direct you to someone who can.
J: Johnson Campus
By Alexandra Huff
Fall 2018 revealed the newly merged Northern Vermont University, bringing the Johnson and Lyndon State College campuses together. While there was undoubtedly some animosity at first, Johnson quickly became a true sister school to Lyndon. From first-year event speakers to the annual drag show to hybrid classes, Johnson and Lyndon accepted each other with open arms. The communities became even closer through the threat of closure. As the campuses prepare for another big merger, Lyndon knows Johnson has our backs.
K: Kingdom Trails
By Tyler Silveira and Alexandra Huff
Left! Right! Left! The Kingdom Trails network has over 100 miles of multi-use trails for students and community members to enjoy. If you are enrolled in the Fundamentals of Mountain Biking course, you can expect to become very familiar with the private land. But the trails are open to more than just bikers; there are specific trails for hikers, snowshoers, Nordic skiers, and even horse-riding! So if you’re ever around Darling Hill, we highly recommend making a pitstop at Heaven’s Bench—you won’t regret it!
L: Lyndon Community
By Quinlan Peer
Lyndon, Lyndonville, Lyndon Center—whatever you want to call the area outside the campus—supports the college like no other. The surrounding community has fought to keep the Lyndon campus alive, partnering with on-campus clubs to hold events. Students often find jobs downtown with local businesses and bring a lot to the local economy. Of course, you can always find a herd of college students at Pizza Man for Wing Night.
M: McGoff Hill
By Isabella Mertens
This steep, winding road connects the Stonehenge Parking Lot to South Wheelock Road. Frequently driven by students on their way to town, this road has recently been repaved. However, it is still full of frost heaves and other imperfections that make it treacherous. Snow tires are a must for students looking to brave this bending road in the winter months.
N: Northeast Kingdom
By Carter Lee Toro
The Northeast Kingdom encompasses Vermont’s Essex, Orleans, and Caledonia counties. This NEK of the woods is where NVU-Lyndon resides. The region is full of nature to explore. You can go mountain biking at Kingdom Trails, swim in Lake Willoughby, or hike up Burke Mountain. There is plenty to see and do in this cozy kingdom.
O: Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Tourism
By Quinlan Peer
Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Tourism–formerly known as Mountain Recreation Management–is the only major where people can be graded for hiking mountains, skiing, and rock climbing. The outdoor major has two tracks: one in Adventure Leadership and one in Ski Resort Management. If you’re big into the outdoors, this is the major for you.
P: Public Safety
By Pat Hamilton
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… a “pub safe” officer with the spare key because you’ve locked yourself out of your room! These heroes don’t wear capes, but they’ve probably gotten you out of a jam or two. NVU Public Safety is the Swiss-army knife of problem solvers on campus: jump-starting cars, responding to a lockout, and giving first aid. They are always ready to jump into action, even after most of us have jumped into bed.
Q: Quimby Gallery
By Renee Chaples
Run by Visual Arts Department Chair Tucker Barclay, the Quimby Art Gallery is home to various art exhibits dedicated to community and student artworks. Any artist interested can submit gallery ideas at any time. Located in the Harvey Academic Center (HAC) lobby, the gallery is free and open to students, faculty, and community members 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Friday.
R: Residential Life
By Alexandra Huff
Lyndon is a residential-based campus, meaning students come from all over Vermont, the U.S., and even other countries to move into our rural town. There are five main residence halls on campus, staffed by student Resident Assistants, and Head Resident and Residential Hall Director pro-staff.
Some of the most fun memories are created in these buildings, from suite gift swaps to movie nights in the lounge to a hall-wide pool tournament. But one thing that residential students will never forget is those late-night knocks in your suite… “RA, bathroom check!”
S: Samuel Read Hall Library
By Isabella Mertens
The Samuel Read Hall Library is a facility for students to access three floors worth of books, textbooks, and archived material. Here, students have access to study rooms, lounge areas, and desktops to help them achieve academic success. IT is tucked away in a corner on the second floor of the library, and if you cannot find them, any information desk worker will be glad to guide you to their headquarters.
T: Twilight Players
By Carter Lee Toro
The Twilight Players make the theater come alive. They are the campus’ theater troupe who work hard to put on various shows. Each year, actors and actresses join the Twilight Players and participate in plays, musicals, improv, talent shows, and more. The Twilight Players will continue bringing quality entertainment to campus each semester.
U: Ultimate Frisbee
By Tyler Silveira
Go deep! Our Ultimate Frisbee players are some of the nicest people you’ll meet. It’s a great team to join if you want to play catch with your friends. The tournaments are casual and fun, with every player giving it their all. The crowd’s cheer after scoring a point while the team comes running, high fives at the ready, is a reward like no other.
V: Visual Arts Department
By Becca Fauteux
What do animation, illustration, graphic design, photography, and game design all have in common? They’re all Visual Arts degree programs! The habitat of the average Visual Arts student is the Harvey Academic Center, which has any and all tools at your disposal that an artist could ask for. Beware the printers, though, as they smell fear and have no mercy for procrastinators.
As you peruse the artists’ playground, you’ll come to know the friendly faces of the faculty. Thanks to his pension for bow ties and sweater vests, Barclay Tucker sticks out from the crowd. Kelly Glentz-Brush bears a warm smile and infectious passion for print and package design.
No matter your concentration, Visual Arts is all about exploration and experimentation. So even if your work falls short of expectations sometimes, you’ll still come out learning something.
W: WWLR
By Alexandra Huff
Turn your FM dials to 91.5 to hear the voices of NVU-Lyndon students and alumni across the airwaves of WWLR. Licensed by the FCC, WWLR is an entirely student-run radio station broadcasting from the first floor of Vail. WWLR is also one of seven college radio stations in Vermont.
X: X-Country (Cross Country)
By Alexandra Huff
Personal bests and high-ranking NAC performances are what Lyndon’s cross country teams are all about. Runner Andrew Grautski told The Critic that for athletes involved in the sport, it offers them so much more. “Joining the cross country team at NVU Lyndon has been a life-changing experience. It has allowed me to become a faster runner, make new friends, and feel more involved on campus,” he said.
Lyndon hosted the NAC Championships just two years ago in 2019.
Y: Yellow and Green
By Tyler Silveira and Alexandra Huff
Yellow and green dot the bleachers at any sports game as fans decorate themselves with the school colors. While NVU is branded with a navy blue, a lime green, and an orange-red, the Lyndon campus is prideful in its yellow and green colors. Some theorize that the school colors came from the “Green Mountains” and yellow stripes of the Hornet, but the true answer is a little more hidden in campus lore.
Z: Zip Zap Zop
By Alexandra Huff
Zip! Zap! What comes next? Too late, you’re out. Zip Zap Zop is an icebreaker that tests focus and rhythm. It’s an elimination-style exercise that engages students with eye contact. While incoming students may claim to dislike this game and other team bonding activities, Zip Zap Zop is a go-to for many student leaders and theatre folk. If you see one in the halls, point at them with both hands together, say “Zip!” and see what happens next.