Coming Together As One
An Appreciation For Martin Square
Almost every person who visits the SPU campus, or attends SPU has been to Martin Square. The large area is in the middle of three buildings: the SPU library, Gwinn Commons, and Weter Hall. The space between the buildings gives Martin Square it’s square shape with a center circle in the middle of it. Gwinn commons is where all students eat, Weter is where many students go to study, and we can assume many college students hopefully go to the library often. Martin Square is in a very common place that many students pass at least once a day. Parents and alumni are also able to keep an eye on what happens are the square through the various web cameras placed on top of the library and Weter!
Martin square’s ground is entirely brick. It is most famous for its brick circle, where if you clap in the middle of it, there’s a strange squeak that accompanies your clap. Why it does this? I’m not sure, and as the SPU archivist, Adrienne Meier says, “It squeaks because of science. I’m afraid this is outside of my expertise, but my understanding is that it has something to do with the acoustics and the way the sound bounces off the circular stone parts.” In the center of the square is a circle with benches around the outside of it and four entry ways into the circle through stairs. The square is mostly accessible through stairs. Facing the square, you must climb up three sets of stairs to get to the square. It’s quite a work out when you have to do it every day. There are various plant and bushes along the rim of the circle and the square that give it a nice environmental feel. Light posts around the Square all seem to have SPU banners on them, showcasing SPU’s motto and logo along with a few that have photos of SPU alumni. Martin Square is also popular for its scripture that runs along the outside of the circle. The scripture reads, “Jesus said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me… Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations … teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you… And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.’ — Matthew 28:18–20”. Seattle Pacific University is a Christian school, so it makes sense that there’s an important scripture about God in one of the most popular places on campus.
Unlike the usual assumption that Martin Square was named after our current president, Dan Martin (AKA “D Money”), the square was actually named after SPU’s 7th president, Curtis A. Martin. It was dedicated and finished on May 20th, 1994 to honor Martin’s life and achievements (Stated on the plaque in the square). Martin, who was 59 at the time, served two years as SPU’s president. Martin is an alumni of Seattle Pacific University and graduated with a BA in 1955 and then earned his master’s and doctorate degrees at the University of Washington. He later served nearly three decades as a faculty member and administrator for SPU. In his time as president, the school renovated the athletics center and planned to build a new library with the budget put at $10 million.
Currently, Martin is a resident in the Warm Beach Senior Community near Stanwood, Washington. Warm Beach has 350 residents and many of them are SPU alumni, former staff members, trustees, and emeriti faculty. They are all members of the Free Methodist Church. Sadly, Martin lives alone. His wife, Carol Martin, lives in the Warm Beach Health Care Center, where she receives continuing care for complications resulting from a stroke in 2007. Her husband visits her daily and helps care for her. In his spare time, Martin leads the Magic Walking Stick Hikers, which is for men devoted to exploring hill and dale on foot. He is also working with a friend to complete a Warm Beach Memorial Garden. Martin enjoys the large presence of people who love SPU as much as he does. The warm community that makes it “…easy to grow together in worship, ministry, and play” (Kelly, Clint. “A Warm Beach State of Mind.”)
Many events take place in Martin Square. It was built to be an area where students could gather together and just hang out. Last year, the annual Cinco De Mayo celebration was held in Martin Square. The school got a mariachi band to come and there was food and fellowship. It is also the spot for the annual end of year picnic. Last year, the square was home to a multicultural event full of live cultural music, cultural foods, and dancing. Over 200 students attended this “fiesta”. This past June, the picnic, put on by the STUB, included a petting zoo, a rock wall, a photo booth, carnival type rides, tons of food, and loud music, which according to Meier, is very annoying to the librarians.
The Square is also used to raise awareness on certain issues. Recently, the Square has been used for protests for the recent presidential election. On November 14th, students gathered with megaphones and handmade signs and expressed frustrations and chanted rally cries. Many of them met in hopes of their voices being heard. They expressed their feelings about being equal no matter the color of their skin or where they are from and being equal no matter what their sexual orientation is. Students started in Tiffany Loop, but later moved to Martin Square. They were there most of the morning. They took turns in the middle of the circle sharing their experiences and how they felt about the current conditions of America. Their chants were so loud, my roommate could hear them all the way in Arnett. Martin square is an area where students and faculty can come together and express who they are, what they believe, and how they feel. Their voices can easily be heard there because it’s so in the middle of everything so everyone can see.
Other than large events, Martin Square is a place for people to get together in between classes. On my first day as a student of SPU, my friend and I got a meal-to-go and sat on the stairs right on the edge of the circle. We weren’t the only ones. Every bench was filled with students. That is why we had to sit on the stairs, along with others who got there too late to get seats. The entire place was filled with chatter and laughter. It’s in just the perfect spot which somehow makes it really relaxing and peaceful when it’s nice outside.
Martin Square was also the first place that I cheered as a college cheerleader in the soccer game pep rally 2 days before school actually started. It was such an incredible experience to be able to be in front of my class and show them the pride I have in being a falcon. I remember being so nervous and I still sometimes get the same feeling I did when I walk through the square! During freshman orientation, it was really common for church fairs and club fairs, or other fairs to be in the square. It’s very convenient because the square is hard to miss and it’s right by everything. The square is a place for people to come together in a common cause.
Because of Martin’s legacy, SPU will long enjoy Martin Square on campus. In Warm Beach, Martin continues to share his love for SPU with other friends and loved ones, while on campus, students get to express their love for SPU in this area created for Martin. It’s a weird parallel, but because of the difference Martin made in just his 2 years as presidents, he will be remembered by the efforts he made to make SPU a better place for all. Getting a square dedicated to you is more than just a building. Martin was able to have a space where students could be unified and come as one to express themselves and their love for SPU. If someone were to ask me, I think that’s better than just a building for learning.
MLA Citations:
Eng, Lily. “Spu Provost Named President of School — Curtis Martin Appointed To Serve A 2-Year Term.” The Seattle Times, 16 May 1992. Web.
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19920516&slug=1492104
Kelly, Clint. “A Warm Beach State of Mind.” Responce, n.d. Web.
http://spu.edu/depts/uc/response/new/2013-summer/alumni/a-warm-beach-state-of-mind.asp
The Falcon. Seattle Pacific University, n.d. Web.
