One of the best things about Doane is that it suits nature-lovers pretty well. At least, in my opinion. There’s trees and fauna and wildlife for students to feast their eyes upon. There’s even an outdoor nature classroom just beyond the Hansen Hall parking lot, and a trail through the trees that has markers for cross-country runners. For my weekend walks, I sometimes take those paths, if only to enjoy nature or to get exercise.
The buildings and structures don’t take away from nature, either. In fact, there is one part of Doane that adds mystique to it: Khouri Plaza, located just on the opposite side of the walkway from Gaylord Hall. The gazebo-like structure tucked away in the trees was built in memory of Reverend and Mrs. Samuel Chase Dean by their daughter, Carrier Dean, of the class of 1880. As the engraved plaque reads: “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” For those interested in where to find this, it’s Revelation 21:6 in the King James Version (KJV).
I especially like Khouri Plaza because it’s rare for students to be sitting at the circular stone bench and solemnly busy themselves without the distraction of other people. I used to sit there during my freshman year to do just that, comforted by the songs of nature. I have also often found myself standing on the bridge staring into the soul of the running water below after the rain. Frogs would dive into the water as soon as I approached, and I don’t blame them. If I were a frog, I’d do the same thing if I encountered a stranger in the presence of my home.
The structure itself is underneath the safety of the emerald canopy, and, in the fall, branches that offer minimal protection from snow and the cold, yet it’s a generosity of sorts. I do believe that nature reclaiming man-made treasures is a beautiful sight. Khouri Plaza is such a case, as exemplified by the cobwebs, spiders, the bridge’s surface plates chipping off and the biggest factor, the carpet-like moss on the rocks in the stream. I encourage readers not to see this as negligence, but rather the opposite, as Khouri Plaza is still being maintained. Passersby may see litter on the ground and place it in the trash can. Or it may be a valuable item left behind that is soon returned to its rightful owner. Mother Nature can also do her part to help remove possible harmful substances from the area, not that it has much of it to begin with. It doesn’t, just to clarify.
So, if you’re ever in the area or near the plaza, take some time out of your day to walk the bridge and admire the sublimity of the memorial. If you find it inspirational, take a moment to sit down and write about it. Turn it into a story. Draw a picture. Dream a bit. Use it as a place of solitude to unwind from all the stress; cry if it’s necessary. Cherish nature in all its vices and virtues. Above all, never forget that Khouri Plaza exists as a small, yet equally important piece of Doane history.
