I can still remember when I heard the news that Pangborn Hall would be no more. Disgruntled, nervous, and excited, I sat in class wondering how my fellow phoxes had received the news. I was abroad at the time and sorely missed getting to discuss amongst ourselves. I remember feeling like my parents had decided to move to a different state while I was away at college and I had been left to deal with the adjustment. I thought with disdain of how I would have to change all of my paths, relearn shortcuts, and (horror upon horror) switch to North Dining Hall. Mostly though I was upset that I wouldn’t get a chance to say goodbye to what had become my home for the last 3 years. I thought with fondness of all the memories that the dorm held. Everything that gave Pangborn its character, from the extra set of parietal doors, the side exits that would set off alarms, the lions out front, the unique echo in the courtyard between Fisher and Pangborn, the hill behind with the best view of sunsets, and yes, even the low ceilings all culminated in an element of nostalgia that I had not expected. This had been the dorm where I suited up for my first Notre Dame game, got ready for my first real date that would lead to my first kiss, where I battled laundry machines, and made some of my very best friends. In particular, this had been my sister’s dorm before me. Pangborn was the dorm that I had prayed to be placed into, because of its small size, proximity to the dining hall and the Rock, and the younger memories of my sister’s mythical Notre Dame Life. As my fellow Pangstas sang goodbye to our home I wondered what adventures this senior year would hold and came to peace with the move.Over the summer I longingly passed by fox sweaters, hats, potholders, pillows and even mirrors. While I was pained by the loss of my beloved mascot, I think the person who was really cut up about it was my mother, who could no longer come home with her random fox finds. I started to grow excited about the possibility of a new mascot and fell in love with the beauty of Flaherty’s lavender and blue. Still, as the summer stretched on and on and pictures leaked of the inside of the dorm, I couldn’t help but wonder what I had gotten myself into. I grew increasingly anxious as I realized that I would need my parents’ help to move in as if it were freshman year again. What would moving my boxes upstairs be like? Would we have enough storage space? Once I finally arrived on campus, I started to delight in the fun of being a “senior freshman.” My very first day back, I got lost on the way to the basilica because I wasn’t used to the small paths that traced their way through Mod Quad. I laughed in glee as I inadvertently added to the chaos of the first meals with everyone back at North Dining Hall attempting to find food. Soon my room was decorated and began to feel like home. My roommate and I laughed as we created a bookshelf and had to buy storage containers for the first time. Say what you want about Pang, but we had more storage space than probably any dorm on this campus. We joked and laughed about going from a dungeon to a castle. I lived in fear of chipping the walls of our newly painted room at first. I stood in amazement on top of my lofted bed and wept a little thinking about those three years where I could barely sit up in bed. The air conditioner and I are still fighting as I learn to use this new luxury. As classes began I slowly adjusted to deleting Pangborn from my Notre Dame introduction and played around with the many ways to say Flaherty. I have slowly grown to love our new home, and the promise of new traditions. Perhaps the only thing that bothers me is the assumption that I really hated Pangborn. I get strange questions now about how I feel about the fairness of paying the same board fees as I did in Pangborn and whether I feel any remaining resentment in comparing the two experiences. To be very frank and very clear, I love and loved Pangborn. I never asked to be moved to this beautiful new building. I understand that there may be those that are resentful for the differences in dorm atmosphere. But honestly for me the storage space, proximity, and small tight community made Pangborn worth every penny. On the other hand I don’t really feel guilty, because we all got to move together. A decision that I applaud and deeply appreciate as I couldn’t imagine going into my senior year without all of these great ladies that have become like sisters to me. It’s also so fun to get to meet all the new friends from other dorms and new freshman. I am so incredibly proud to be a part of the first graduating class of Flaherty Hall.
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