Still to this day one of the most recognizable buildings in Chicago, the Sullivan Center was completed back in 1903. The building plans were drawn up after the Chicago Great Fire of 1871 displaced a pair of merchants. Unsatisfied by their current arrangements, they approached Sullivan to design and build them a giant skyscraper. Sullivan designed a massive steel-framed building that had large bay windows along the first floor to give stores the ability to display to pedestrians. The Sullivan Center became a National Landmark in 1975 and in 2013, Target moved in and opened its first store in Chicago.

One of Louis Sullivan’s best-known buildings, the Auditorium Building in Chicago was completed in 1889. At the time of its completion, the Auditorium Building was the largest building in the United States and the tallest building in Chicago. In 1891, the Chicago Orchestra debuted and called the Auditorium home until 1904. During the Great Depression, the Auditorium actually had to close and remained closed until 1941 when it was taken over by the city of Chicago to be used as a World War II center. In 1967, the Auditorium reopened and served as a rock venue for the next decade or so. In 1975, the USDI declared it a National Historic Landmark. Today, the Auditorium serves as an entertainment venue, with the NFL holding the 2015 NFL draft there.

So many of my memories from my time here at OU, both good and bad, come from my time in the dorms and in Walker Tower. It is a place on campus that holds a lot of meaning for me and I’m sure many other students. At times, it was a bit of a love/hate relationship but that is to be expected sharing a tiny room and even tinier bathroom with people you don’t necessarily know all that well. I think that Walker Tower will always hold a place in my heart.

Growing up in Houston, I grew up a big Astros fan. Luckily for me, I am not one anymore. However, as a kid I have so many vivid memories of myself and my dad at Astros games. They are some of my fondest memories from living in Houston. The year before I moved away, 2005, they made it all the way to the World Series. My dad and I went to some playoff games and I think I still have a foul ball somewhere that I caught during one.

The Biz has played a huge role in my life ever since I started here as a student. I remember touring it before I decided to come here and thinking it was a really cool, old building. If only I knew how many grueling hours I would spend studying there lol. You can always find me cramming for tests last minute somewhere in the basement. I think that every student that has gone here probably has some horror story involving the Biz and some last-minute studying during finals week.

Growing up in Houston, my family and I visited this park quite often. As a kid, I remember being mesmerized by the water wall and never fully comprehending how it worked. Right next to it was a large open field where we would go to throw a ball around or have a picnic. Every time I think back on it, it brings a smile to my face. I will have to go back one of these days and see if it holds up to how I remember it.