’Cuse

Among the things we learned at the Syracuse University Family Weekend, just ended:


• Nobody calls it Syracuse! It's "S.U." or "’Cuse." (So quoth our daughter.)


• Everything is orange and blue at S.U. Everything. Even construction equipment.

• A pregame performance by the Orange drumline and marching band on the Quad is downright goose-bumpy. Ever see "Drumline," the 2002 Nick Cannon movie? If so, you know what I mean. If not, look here for a taste of what we saw Saturday afternoon in front of Hendrick Chapel. The guy with dreads playing the snare and smiling his heart out was everyone's favorite.

Click photos to better appreciate the scenery.

• Even after much of the fall color is past, the campus remains very pretty.




• The newly completed sciences building and its attractive atrium (above) are cool places to contemplate light, shadow, and architectural form.

• The daughter is very happy to be at ’Cuse, where she has so many friends her phone buzzes with text messages nearly every minute. Above, Valentine (from France), Julie, and Melinda at the Schine Student Center.

• Last and best: In spite of the independent veneer proudly worn by college freshmen, they not only appear to appreciate a big parental bear-hug, they will even reciprocate. More than once! And that makes their parents very happy indeed.