By Ellie Tiemens | Echo
From the outside, people see Bergwall Hall as a home to the majority of student athletes - close to the Kesler Student Activities Center (KSAC), updated facilities with perks like air conditioning and a skywalk that connects it to the Dining Commons (DC) - but on the inside, Berg is so much more than that.
"Berg is just different," Natalie Jorde, the hall director of Bergwall Hall said. "One thing that I like about Berg and that makes it distinct is that there are so many different kinds of people in Berg. So, yes, we're known to be the athlete building, but there are also so many students that are really involved in other things."
While Berg houses many athletes, it is also home to musicians, dancers, theatre majors, student leaders, artists and so many more.
This eclectic group of people spread out over four floors - two men's and two women's - is a group of people who care deeply about the things they are passionate about.
Many may see this and think of Berg as having no culture due to its multi-talented and diverse residents. But the opposite is true. Berg's culture is supporting people on the floor and in the building as they participate in what they are passionate about and committed to.
So though Berg may not have an established government system and history dating back decades like Sammy Morris or participate in intense traditions like Olson or Wengatz, as a community, Berg has found its own place at Taylor.
"I'd say Berg has its own sense of independence," said junior Kristin Alt, a personnel assistant on Fourth Berg, said. "We do a good job of having our own Berg spirit."
That Berg spirit is evident during the various events and traditions that Bergwall Hall does uphold.
A favorite of these events is Battle of Berg, a one night competition that takes place over J-term. During this event, residents are split into two teams - Team Evan and Team Jean - that pay homage to Bergwall Hall's founders.
Throughout the night, Berg residents from all floors and athletic affiliation take part in intense games of ultimate frisbee, trivia, catch phrase, musical chairs and cake decorating. The night ends in a final game of gold rush - a capture the flag type game.
Other cherished events that allow for dorm bonding are the Fourth Berg airplane open house, a Berg talent show, Cider House, and a yearly tradition of dressing up in summer outfits for dinner during the first snow of the year.
Senior Mitchell Herrington, a discipleship assistant on First Berg lists his favorite floor tradition as the Berg invented game of flatress.
And of course, all Berg residents cherish their times spent together during middle of the night fire alarms . . .
Overall, Berg values doing daily life together and supporting each other, which is something that this residence hall does well.
"My hope and prayer for Berg is that as the years go on, the students there learn to value the specific dynamics that make Berg unique," Jorde said. "Which I think comes a lot from our own identity as Berg and being proud of that, but also honestly teaching campus about the value that different communities have."
