By Colin Campbell
On January 24, Marc Smithers, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, announced that Shenawana (Shen) Hall will be closed for the 2022-2023 academic year to undergo renovations. Established in 1960, Shen has housed “Shenmen” for 62 years. More than just a building, the residence hall has developed a strong culture throughout its history. The news that Shen is going to close in order for the college to make repairs and updates to the building comes with a mix of emotions but mainly excitement, as the thought of living in a restored Shen brings joy to many people. However, hearing that a building, which holds so many memories, will go through a change like this also brings about a feeling of panic.
What will the Shenmen do for a whole year in Lambein Hall? Are they still going to be considered Shen residents? When Shen is reopened, will the culture of the past fade away? One of the freshmen Shen residents, Ben Davidson (‘25), after spending most of his first year in Shen, calls it home. He, along with many other residents, feel that it is due time for Shen to be renovated. Davidson plans to stay a Shen resident for his duration at Houghton and feels that life in Lambein will be different from Shen. He says, “We are deeply rooted here,” and the thought of the culture changing is scary. This feeling is supported by Dillon Bell (‘22), who is in his fifth year of living in Shen. He says, “Shen is the dorm that never sleeps.” He has enjoyed his time in Shen and would describe the residents as rowdy but intentional. While he cannot wait to see the renovations of Shen, he hopes that the culture can carry the same energy that it currently holds into the updated building. A concern of his is that COVID-19 may prevent the culture from flourishing back into what it once was.
Shen’s culture took a hit from COVID-19, which could be difficult to revive. The renovations being made to Shen will not only affect the culture of Shen but will also impact the culture of women residents on campus. Since Lambein will be used as a male resident hall, most of the women on campus will be living in Gillette Hall. This means there will be a significant increase of residents in Gillette, which will provide its own challenges. While this change may provide a unique experience for campus life in this next academic year, it may be the start of a beneficial shift in structure.
With bright hope for the future, the men’s resident director of both Shen and Rothenbuhler (Roth) Hall Shua Wilmot believes that while the culture may shift, the fundamental characters of the buildings will not be lost but further embraced. Wilmot quotes, “In their transition to Lambein (and to Roth and elsewhere), it is my hope that the students coming from Shen will continue striving to exemplify Shenawana’s values of Strength, Honor, and Brotherhood in their healthiest, most Christ-like forms. I hope to cultivate an environment in Lambein in which incoming and returning students alike will enjoy a balance of exciting, new experiences with the rich tradition of brotherhood that this year’s Shen Men will bring with them.” Good things are coming for Houghton College and for the future of Shenawana Hall. Pray that the current and future men of this resident hall will be blessed with strength, honor, and brotherhood.★
