Former Foss Hall Resident Reflects on the End of an Era

Earlier this year, PLU officials announced that my former residence hall, Foss Hall, would be demolished due to the steep costs of a refurbish and retrofit. It wasn’t long after the university’s announcement that my friends and I began swapping Foss Hall memories via text messages, recounting the coming-of-age episodes of comedy, heartache, indulgence and success we experienced together in our lower-campus “concrete palace.”

Built in 1965, Foss was always unlikely to be mistaken for a feat of architecture on a campus of PLU’s cachet, even at the time of its ribbon cutting. But, like a quality pair of hiking boots—sturdy, safe and accommodating— Foss was always fit for its charge.

“It was far from a perfect building, but its imperfections were part of its charm,” reflected former ASPLU President and Foss resident Willie Painter ‘06 on social media after learning of the university’s decision.

“While I can understand the decision to demolish the building, the hardest part is the thought of future Lutes never having the opportunity for Foss Hall to be a part of their PLU experience,” Painter continued.

Naturally, I would have much preferred that Foss’s friendly rival, Pflueger, meet the wrecking ball instead, but a judicious review of circumstance and logistics yields an indisputable conclusion: saving Foss is just financially impractical.

Any lifelong relationship is sure to include occasional disappointments and frustrations. I understand and accept why my beloved alma mater has decided that Foss Hall will not be a part of the university’s future, but that does not mean that I am unaffected.

Someday I will give my daughter a tour of PLU’s handsome woodland campus, enthusiastically recounting to her my days as a Lute and not-so-subtly lobbying her to follow in my collegiate footsteps.

As I name residence hall after residence hall on our tour, my daughter will no doubt ask me which one I lived in when I was a student.

That will be a sobering moment.

But that moment will quickly pass, because I have volumes of adored memories from every corner of the PLU campus: challenging courses taken in nearly every academic building; raucous intermural sports competitions throughout Lower Campus; world-class concerts and stage performances on Upper Campus; and, dare I admit, cherished memories of great times with friends in other residence halls.

Though it will soon be gone, Foss will not be forgotten. Not anytime soon, at least. Thousands of its former residents are now parents, guardians and grandparents, and the children they care for are sure to ask them the timeless question, “What was your favorite part about college?”

And the answer, for many of us, will be Foss Hall.