Maroon Spring: The Glory of the University of Chicago

I had the pleasure this weekend of returning to both my hometown and my alma mater, The University of Chicago, to discuss my book, The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage” and American journalism. It was a glorious day on campus and I wanted to share a few photos if you have not been to the university.

In walking into Rockefeller Chapel, it did not seem that long ago that I sat there at my own graduation despite being over 40 years ago. It was a magnificent setting to receive a degree.

One of my favorite stories concerning the Chapel involved 1960’s comedy legend (and founder of The Second City) Severn Darden who liked to sneak into Rockefeller Chapel at night to play the massive  E.M. Skinner organ, one of the largest in the world. It would rock the campus. On one night, campus security reportedly surprised him and Darden ran to the altar, threw himself on the ground, and demanded “sanctuary!”

The campus is especially beautiful in the spring. Despite the growth of the campus footprint with many new buildings, the core of the campus remains reassuringly unchanged from the vine covered walkways to the tiny Bond chapel.

If you are ever near Hyde Park, it is worth a visit.