What's in a name?
I don't know, I never really knew what that question meant. All I know is that mine is often mispronounced and rarely remembered. I have no clue what it means, but people seem to like it. Regardless, the fact remains; I have a name.
When Paul and Luella Tripp named their four children they didn't settle for Child A, Child B, Child C, and Child D. Although, the name 'Child D' would likely clear up some of the aforementioned mispronunciations (they are far worse and far more frequent than you could ever imagine).
Nonetheless, my parents actually gave some thought to my name and those of my siblings. The same can't be said for the powers that be at Towson University and a number of the school's structures they've named.
This is why I'm proposing a new point in the "Towson 2010" plan: name some of the buildings on this campus. Like real, actual names that have some amount of meaning or symbolism.
Think about it, our most prominent residence towers (with the exception of, well, the Residence Tower) are named after the first four letters of the alphabet. I have to tell people that I spent my first two years living in Tower C. What does C stand for? Certainly not "creative."
I don't know whose job it was to name the Lecture Hall, and Towson Center, but they certainly took the George Foreman approach: as little thought as possible.
Whereas Foreman named his kids after himself (George Junior, George III, George IV, George V, George VI, Freeda George, and Georgetta), Towson named many of its buildings after absolutely nothing at all.
I would have loved to sit in on the meetings that decided the names of the Media Center and Center for the Arts. I really hope they did not last longer than 13 seconds. If so, each person involved should be thoroughly ashamed.
Now, I admittedly know far too little about the history of this school and the influential personalities through the years to offer up very many reasonable suggestions. Finding a new name for the Towson Center is something close to my heart, maybe because I think I have spent more time there through my four years here than I have in my own bed. The name that keeps jumping out at me is "Angotti Arena" after former men's basketball coach Vince Angotti, who spent 16 years with the program, and oversaw its transition from Division II to Division I play. And just as Johnny Unitas Stadium sounds way better than "The Football Stadium," "Angotti Arena" has a far nicer ring than its current title.
I can't imagine it would be very difficult to use this same process to give some legitimate titles to other locations at this school. Famous (or generous) alumni. Long-tenured professors or presidents. There has to be plenty to choose from.
There's no question it would give people a better sense of the history of the University, but on a more superficial level it is far less nondescript and gives some identity to a school that is in the search for its own.
I don't know much about this Burdick guy, and I have no clue what the heck a Linthicum is, but they are staples of Towson University, and are much better sounding than their alternative titles: "Campus Gym" and "Massive Confusing Classroom Building."
Among the various changes that will be made in the coming years, I honestly feel that this would be a crucial one.
And if those in charge choose to heed my call, well, I'll gladly dedicate my own name to the cause.
"The Tripp Towers."
Darnay Tripp, a senior mass communication major, is The Towerlight's associate sports editor.
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