Small Campuses Build Strong Communities

 By Maron Guimarães – Small campuses, like Morningside University, offer something bigger than many large universities aren’t able to: an intimate sense of belonging. Here on our campus, the size, even simply in acreage, can play a big role in helping students feel connected. We walk shorter distances but still tell big stories, we meet new people but also see familiar faces, and we join groups where we actually have an impact on creating traditions. 

The walk from the Plex to Dimmitt isn’t very far, but there’s still plenty of time to walk with a friend, talk about your day, or make plans for the upcoming weekend. Maybe the trip takes you to the Spoonholder first, where you grab your favorite smoothie, then walk through Hilker mall on your way to the caf, where you see more friendly faces and can hear about some athletics team success, just like when the men’s soccer team won the GPAC regular conference, they brought the trophy into the caf so everyone could take a peek at it and take a picture with it. 

The size of Morningside’s campus not only helps students create a bond, but it can also helps professors and faculty to be more connected with their students. I’ve lost track of how many times I have seen a professor having lunch with a student. My group of friends had lunch once with Dr. Muzinga, and it was one of the funniest days, hearing his stories and talking with him. Those connections outside of class blend into the classroom. Similarly, when there is a visitation day and coaches from different teams are all there sitting with the new recruiters and inviting old players to tell stories about the team, that sense of community already starts to build.

The sense of community at Morningside is inescapable on game days,. Students see the same faces in the stands, walking to athletic events, or supporting different teams. In the bleachers, especially in Soccer or Basketball games, you can see how bonded students are based on the student section. Students are so close to each other that they take hours of their day just to attend their friends’ games to celebrate and scream on every point or goal. Clubs also benefit from the small campus. Club meetings often include the same students you see in class, games, dorms, or around campus every day. That consistency helps friendships form naturally, and once these connections are made, they can last a lifetime.