"If I'm not in class, you're almost guaranteed to track me down at Starbucks sipping a mocha," says one student.Students love the lake view from almost everywhere on campus.Donna's Bytes offers a place to eat, socialize and study with friends.Tables outside Einstein's draw crowds on nice days.Two meditation chapels offer students peace and quiet.The best place to study? Hedberg Library's study rooms, says senior Allen Wyma.Students unwind on the volleyball court behind South Hall.

Favorite Spots on Campus

Just Like Home

Carthage students share their favorite campus hang-outs

Whether it's a favorite chair in Hedberg Library or a certain rock at the shore of Lake Michigan, there are spots across campus where Carthage students always feel at home. We asked students to tell us some of their favorite places on campus, both indoors and out.

While some students hesitated to spill the beans — "If I told, it would stop being such a nice, quiet spot!" said Cecelia Grove, '11 — most students were quick to share where you'll find them studying, relaxing, or hanging out with friends.

Outdoor Oases: It's all about the view

For many Carthaginians, any spot on campus is divine — as long as it's got a lake view.

"Anywhere near the lake is where I like to hang out on campus," said Nicholas Gromiuk, '10, a computer science major from Cambridge, Wis. "It's so nice to just hang out with friends and look out at the lake after a busy day."

"Down by the beach," said Isa Fritz, '10, a physics major from Kenosha. "There is nothing better than relaxing and watching the soothing waves come into the shore."

Austin Rombalski, '11, a mathematics and finance major from Kenosha, agreed. "My favorite spot on campus would be anywhere outside, where you can enjoy a view of Lake Michigan," he said. "It really is a beautiful campus."

Jamie Hamill, '11, a neuroscience and psychology major from Kenosha, was a little more specific: "My favorite spot on campus is when you are walking down Campus Drive and you can turn to the east and see the huge expanse of beautiful blue water, while you're walking past all of the beautiful flowers in front of all the buildings," she said.

Jolanta Lutow, December '09, an English major from Elmhurst, Ill., likes a grouping of rocks behind South Hall, right off the shore. "I would bring my backpack and tell myself I would get homework done, but I always ended up staring into the horizon or reading a book that wasn’t required," she said.

Indoors: Roaming the Halls

Ready to head indoors? Marie Sarantakis, '11, a philosophy and political science major from Lake Geneva, would recommend Carthage’s coffee shops. "If I'm not in class, you're almost guaranteed to track me down at Starbucks sipping a mocha," she said.

Brigette Estola, '11, a theatre and English major from Ludington, Mich., likes the H.F. Johnson Center for the Fine Arts. "I have a favorite practice room in the JAC that I always have to sing in — and the tables outside Einstein's, facing the lake on a sunny day," she said.

Kristen Stangas, '10, an economics major from Kenosha, is an Einstein's fan, too. Her favorite spot on campus is in Donna's Bytes, the eatery in Hedberg Library that contains the bagel shop and Freshen's Yogurt. "Specifically the little table right next to the fireplace that I feel should be named after me," Kristen said. "I love coming here, since it is a social location, but I still manage to accomplish all of my work. We have shared many memories — 20-plus page papers, all-night test cramming and SI study sessions, but also coffee cake-eating contests, late night talk and Sunday night dinners, which involved jamming 10 girls at one table."

Emily Schiavone, '10, a mathematics and physics major from Mount Prospect, Ill., said her favorite spot on campus is the B-2 physics lounge.

Study Time: A Little Peace and Quiet

When it comes to studying, students recommend heading to Hedberg Library. Emma Van Riet's favorite place on campus is the library basement. "You can get a lot of work done down there," said Emma, a German major from Elmhurst, Ill.

"My favorite spot on campus is probably the library because of how nice everything is and the fact that it has the individual study rooms where you can go to study or do work quietly," said Allen Wyma, '10, a Chinese and computer science major from Evergreen Park, Ill.

Matthew Gehrz, '12, a graphic design and technical theatre major from Racine, Wis., has a few favorite spots: "While anyone who knows me will tell you that I pretty much live in the library and the theater, I would say that my favorite spot on campus is the grassy hillside that leads down to the lake between Johnson Hall and South Hall," he said. "Sunrises from there in the winter are truly magical."

Food and Fitness: 'The Caf' and the 'TARC.'

For Dana Watt, '10, a neuroscience and biology major from Barrington, Ill., the cafeteria is the place to be. "I LOVE cafeteria food," she said. "I could eat it all day. The worst part about living off campus is living without the cafeteria. Good, good times in the Caf."

Amanda King, '11, a sociology major from West Allis, Wis., agreed. "I've had a lot of fond memories in the dorms and going down by Lake Michigan, but I believe the best hidden secret at Carthage is weekday breakfast in the Caf," she said. "Jason will make you the best pancakes, omelets, French toast, hash browns, bacon, sausage or whatever you want!"

Arika Cozzi, '12, and David Reis, '11, prefer the N.E. Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center.

"My favorite spot on campus is the TARC," said Arika, an athletic training major from Roselle, Ill. "I think the athletic facilities at Carthage are phenomenal."

David's favorite spot within the TARC? "The rock wall," said the neuroscience major from Kaukauna, Wis. "As much as I love going to my classes and learning about new things, it is nice to be able to escape once in a while. Using the rock wall allows me to clear my head while getting in a good workout and having fun with friends all at the same time."

Just Like Home

Ashley Rodencal, '10, a psychology major from Columbus, Wis., likes her residence hall. She lives in the Best Western, a hotel about five minutes from campus, where many students enjoy amenities like a private bathroom, housekeeping, a fitness center, and a pool.

"My favorite spot on campus is actually not technically on campus, but at the dorms they have for students at the Best Western, which is where I live," Ashley said. "The hotel has a pool, hot tub, pool table, maid service once a week, provided furniture, a shuttle that takes you back and forth from campus, and it is right on the lake with a gorgeous view. My friends and I all have a great time here."

Lori Kollath, '11, a biology and neuroscience major from Verona, Wis., likes any spot within the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Natural Sciences. "It's the science building and I basically live there," she said. "More than once I have found a couch and just taken a little nap before homework or between classes. There is always someone there to talk to, and it's fun just to hang out without having to go too far."

As for Alyssa Wyss, '11, a social work major from Baraboo, Wis., her favorite place on campus will remain a secret. "It's a secret spot that my friends and I like to call the 'Stoop,'" she said. "Otherwise, I really enjoy sitting on the beach on a nice day, and find it very peaceful to be in the meditation chapels."

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