Blog Post 7: Built Environment as Argument

As I walk across campus, there is only one place that really stresses me out and it is the Academic Plaza. It is one of the most heavily travelled areas on campus so there are students rushing around constantly, but that isn't the only thing that stresses me out about this area. They recently placed multiple statues around the Academic Plaza that really freak me out. The statues are supposed to be "modern" but they just look like a huge mess.

While the Academic Plaza side is the most stressful place to me, I find the most relaxing place on campus to be on the reverse side of the Academic building where Military Walk. When I walk across that area, I can't help but feel reflective and relaxed. Military Walk is lined with large beautiful trees and paved with brick, giving it a unique look compared to A&M's other sights. This walkway also begins with a statue of James Rudder, the man responsible for changing A&M for the better and is lined with meaningful memorials and statues that inspire whoever walks down it. Military Walk is also lined with lamp posts that illuminate the area at all hours (pictured), making it one of the most inspiring and reflective areas on campus.

In my opinion, the most pleasing view on campus is the Administration Building (above). It is the first thing you see when you come to Texas A&M's campus for the first time and has very unique and beautiful architecture. As you travel down New Main Street, this building is the main focus with the Greek style pillars and the flags flying high in front of the building.

Although these buildings and areas are prominent on Texas A&M's campus, when I generally think of A&M I definitely think of Kyle Field (whoop). When I think Texas A&M, I picture a fightin' Texas Aggie game day and over 100,000 Aggies standing as the 12th man. I think that even 10 years down the road, the huge stadium will always be the most prominent aspect of campus.

As an argument, Military Walk conveys a very interested message. In the early 1900's, Military Walk was just a dirt road where all of the cadets would assemble every day. Now, the path has been remodeled and landscaped, adding a number of historic markers. If this was making an argument, I believe that it would be arguing that A&M's military history is an import aspect of the university. When A&M was first created, it was solely a military school and although times have changed, the corps is a valuable aspect of A&M's culture. It gets this message across because it looks unique compared to other areas on campus and it contains many historical markers regarding A&M's military history.