Dinkytown. That was the name of the hangout area where I went to college at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. A commercial district right next to campus with several restaurants, shops and even a food court (my favorite) inside the “Dinky Dome,” which was once a theological seminary. I’m a little hesitant to say that, upon looking back, most of my favorite college memories took place in Dinkytown.
A desire to create this kind of community is at the heart of a new building on campus, Donaghey Hall. The top three floors are residential living for upperclassmen while the first floor includes a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, a sub shop and grocery store, an upscale restaurant and more.
“Community” is defined by Webster’s dictionary as a unified body of individuals with common interests living in a particular area. When I first thought about joining the UCA and Conway communities three years ago, I heard a lot about the close-knit feeling here, but it wasn’t until I experienced it firsthand that I truly understood what others were talking about. This community is a unique blend of students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and businesses all striving to help our students succeed and this community thrive.
It’s exciting to watch as Donaghey Hall begins strengthening our community by providing a place where everyone is welcome and can enjoy a nice meal, bond through a cup of coffee, celebrate with a sweet treat or spark an idea that changes the course of one’s life.
And as cool as the facility is, new buildings only excite for a while, but the community they help create will last a lifetime.
Community is about more than where you live; it’s about the people, places and experiences that help shape your life. The goal of this edition of the UCA Magazine is to highlight the many aspects of the UCA community and how it has shaped, and is still shaping, the lives of our students. Community is what makes UCA unique and special to so many.
I hope that this edition of the UCA Magazine will remind you why you chose to be a part of the UCA community and your Dinkytown-esque memories, as well as uncover new ways that you can be involved in this community.