Walking up the stairs to the fourth floor brought a lot of anticipation inside of me. I could not believe I was privileged enough to visit the office of the most important administrator at the University of Texas; the office in which most students, especially freshmen, never get the opportunity to explore. I couldn't help but to think about how it was decorated. I imagined it would resemble the famous Oval Office like the one pictured to the right in the way of it being traditional with old, antique objects and furniture.
Before I could see if I had imagined correctly about the President's Office, we were escorted into the Stark Library, which is the President's conference room. I was amazed to see the large conference table and was surprised that there were exactly eighteen seats to sit all of us that were present. I immediately felt like someone of importance and such an exciting feeling. One of the things I noticed was the ability for all of us to remain our normal selves even though we were in an environment where we should have been on our best behavior. Although we possessed our normal ability to joke around with each, I felt that eased the tension of being in such a serious environment and made it more comfortable for everyone.
The existence of the Stark Library was new to me; I had no idea of its existence before the excursion. It was interesting to learn that the library once contained 12,000 volumes of 19th Century literature. The shelves were still stocked with books, but it is to my understanding that some have been moved to the Harry Ransom Center. Libraries always evoke a feeling of being connected with others of the past inside me; so being in the library made me think of all the individuals that sat in the same room and glanced at those same books. I wonder if they had the same feeling of awe and curiosity as I had.
It was exciting to be in the very room where the President conducts meetings about various aspects of the University and makes decisions about the well being of all the students. I imagine he would be sitting at the head of the table where Professor Bump or Will is sitting in the picture to the left, which would allow him to glance at everyone. The leather seats just added the final touches; it just seems like a decision could be made easily while sitting in comfortable seats. Towards the end of the session in the conference room, I glance up and saw a beautiful chandelier hanging towards the center of the table. I cannot recall its exact appearance, but I know it had green and gold colors elaborating its eloquence. It brought a eloquent and sophisticated design to the room. The visit to Stark Library or conference room was a great introduction to the tour of the Presidential Suite. It provided a sense of tradition with its historical novels and furniture.
In the transition from the conference room into the President's office, I got a chance to see the beautiful architecture on the fourth floor from to the windows all the way up to the ceiling. The images on the stained glass windows were amazing and reminded me of the beautiful stained glass windows in Cathedrals. I was not expecting for the interior to be so exquisite or detailed. The female figures on the windows were clearly distinct and elaborate. The physical features and the different colors helped to portray the word they symbolized whether it was History, Tragedy, or Lyric. Their image was especially clear whenever the light from outside shined through them. I would not expect such design work in the vicinity of the President's office. I am not exactly sure why such decorations were inserted in the offices, but it reminds of what a University stands for and where it comes from. When I think about a University and its President, I immediately focus on the more business side or policy making side of it. I do not think about other colleges and their influences, which are also portrayed in the architecture and design of the various rooms. The representation of Oxford, Cambridge, and Virginia are not apart of my first thoughts for the design of the fourth floor of the Main Building. I am not exactly sure what influence each University has on UT, but I think it was unique to include such influential colleges in the design of our University.
The actual appearance of the President's office was different from what I imagined. It was a lot more personal than I thought it would be. His pictures and displays showed me that he just like an average successful gentleman with love for his family and fields of interest; he apparently like sports portrayed by his picture with Vince Young and the picture of him with ski boards, and he has interest in the field of law with his displays of gavels. I liked the fact that he had an old wooden desk instead of brand new fancy one; it just shows that he is an ordinary man with appreciation of objects with sentimental value. My favorite part of his office was the glass doors that led to the garden.
The garden itself was exceptionally beautiful, and it provided an excellent view of campus and downtown. As shown in the picture to the right, it was a great place for pictures. The garden provoked a sense of peace and calmness from the chaos of the University. Hopefully the President uses it as an escape form the pressures of holding such a position; it just seems like the perfect place to clear your mind and relax from troubles of everyday life. I did not know the President had his own garden outside of his office; it is not visible when looking from down below.
There is another garden outside of the conference room. This one has more decorations than the other one like two benches and a statue. I enjoyed walking around this garden as well; it also struck me as a good place to go and relax or study. Both gardens have the pleasure of being set right in front of the tower. Ending the excursion with the gardens was a good finale to the Presidential Suite. I can only imagine the good feeling the President has as he enters his suite everyday; it was so amazing that it made me want to become President someday.
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