Words of Wisdom from Building Blocks Experts

Reflection is critical to success, and as 2018 ends and 2019 begins, it’s the perfect time to look back. In each print issue’s Building Blocks feature, Campus Rec highlights a rec center that has engaged students and delivered great experiences through innovative renovations, unique programming or special wellness initiatives.

There’s no better time than the present to reflect on the successes chronicled in the six Building Blocks features during 2018. Below, we’ve shared the best words of wisdom from each one. We hope you’ll be able to draw inspiration from their experiences.

Georgia State University, January/February 2018

Melissa Buchheit, Director of Campus Recreation

“Visit other schools prior to making your decision on what products worked best and why. Also, keep the professional staff managers of the area as involved with the process as much as the facility staff.”

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, March/April 2018

Keith Becherer, Director of Campus Recreation

“Part of our job as recreation professionals is to educate the entire campus community on the benefits of our facilities, programs and services. We know we contribute to the overall student success, whether it is related to promoting a healthy lifestyle or how we help retain students by enhancing their collegiate experience.”

Auburn University, May/June 2018

Scott Harper, Facilities and Operations Director

“Work for long, hard hours [during a renovation project] to ensure you get everything right — it’s just a season. Enjoy the process, have fun and help those around you to have fun. It’s recreation.”

Binghamton University, July/August 2018

Cindy Cowden, Senior Associate Director of Campus Recreation

“The best-laid plans on paper sometimes just don’t work out in real life. There are a number of designs we made that just didn’t work exactly as planned. We’ve all heard it before, but try to keep facilities and set-ups as flexible as possible. That way when interests or usage needs change, you can adjust to meet new needs.”

California State University, San Bernardino, September/October 2018

Lynn Nester, CSUSB Director of Campus Recreation

“If a student is not well in one dimension or more, it can severely impact their ability to succeed in the classroom. We want to make sure they’re healthy and well in all aspects of their lives. How can we help our students in the classroom and help them persist to graduation?”

Marquette University, November/December 2018

John Sweeney, Director of Campus Recreation

“We are always in the mode of recruiting and retention. We might be the first experience anyone has with Marquette, and if it’s a positive one, hopefully they’ll remember they had a good experience with our rec center.”