The University of Montevallo

Pretty much every time we tell someone we went to The University of Montevallo (UM), their response is typically something along the lines of, "Oh, that is such a beautiful campus!" Well, yes, it is a beautiful campus with its brick streets, hundred year old trees and historic buildings, but there is much more to it, including a one-of-a-kind homecoming tradition, College Night, that does not involve football. (In fact, UM doesn't have a football team. There has been some controversy over the years about whether or not to start one.)



UM is Alabama's only public liberal arts university. It opened in 1896 as the Alabama Girls' Industrial School. What started as an experiment in women's education quickly grew into a school educating and training hundreds of women to be teachers, bookkeepers, dressmakers, artists and more.

Robert says: UM is famous for its brick streets and sidewalks. To the students, though, they are infamous. At the rear entrance to Comer Hall there are many pavers missing from a large section of the sidewalk. Many students complain about tripping in this area, but it seems the powers-that-be refuse to repair it. I believe the same bricks were missing when I used to visit the campus as a small child back in the late 1980s and early 1990s.



In 1911, the school became known as Alabama Girls' Technical Institute, and in 1919, the phrase "and College for Women" was added. After this, high school courses were gradually phased out, and by 1923, the college became a degree granting institution, known now as Alabama College, State College for Women. After 60 years of educating only women, the state legislature passed a bill dropping "State College for Women" and enabling the acceptance of men. In 1969, Alabama College became The University of Montevallo.

Robert says: In 1969 the students of Alabama College were asked to vote on the new name of the school, either "University of Montevallo" or "Montevallo University". Lori's mother voted for "Montevallo University". I, for one, am glad she lost that battle.



The main entrance to Main Residence Hall, the first dormitory to be built on campus in 1896. It is said to be haunted by student Condie Cunningham, who died in a 1908 fire that she may have started by cooking fudge on a Bunsen burner in her room. What is supposedly an impression of her face is burned into her woooden dorm room. My best friend's father used to work on campus, and one day he took us into Main and showed us the door that is now stored in an out of the way upstairs closet. I don't think her old room is used anymore.

Robert says: On the bottom step of Main is inscribed a star. Many people falsly believe that it represents the center of Alabama. However, a plaque located a few steps up just tells its coordinates, not mentioning anything about being the center of the state.



Wisteria almost completely covers the front of Main.



There are large porches on each side of the Main entrance that overlook the area in front of the dorm and the campus quad.



A fire exit on one side of Main. Most of the older buildings on campus have fire escapes similar to this. The cylindrical structure houses a circular slide to facilitate quicker exit of the building. A similar structure on the other side of the building houses a dumpster at the bottom, which can interrupt an otherwise truly fantastic ride. My mother always told me stories about sliding down the fire escape (although not into the dumpster), and I always wanted to try it. I don't think that sort of thing is encouraged anymore. It probably never was.

Robert says: The slide does not actually end in the dumpster, just next to it. It can be a smelly experience.



As one might assume, this water tower used to store water for the campus until a new one was built. The tower is now used for office space and as a bell tower. Windsor chimes is played at the top of every hour.

Robert says: At the top of the hour, after the Windsor chimes are played, the number of the hour is struck.