By Kamryn Koble | Echo
Being the newest dorm at Taylor University, Breuninger Hall's only stereotype is that it does not have a stereotype at all.
Countless Echo articles have documented the building of this dorm and its future culture. Perhaps Breu's beauty lies in the ambiguity and diversity of its 150 residents.
In 2013, Breu was built attached to Gerig Hall. Breu has been called "the tumor;" although, the two dorms function separately and converge in the laundry room - particularly during AirBand season.
Breu is co-ed, boasts of air-conditioning and even features built-in closets and newer furniture. Its amenities often draw incoming freshmen to Breu, even though they stick around for much more than big windows and a shiny kitchen.
Junior Karolina Kahle spent her last three years in Breu and is currently Third Breu's PA. She trusted the Lord to place her where she belonged on campus, and found a home there.
"Each floor has its own personality," Kahle said. "Third specifically is pretty quiet and introverted, and very individualistic. We sometimes have our doors open, but we enjoy time to ourselves as well."
Kahle strove to keep from pressuring students to be involved in every floor event.
Breu may not offer as many frequent activities as the more social dorms on campus; although, that can be a haven to students who seek a different Taylor experience.
Kahle's favorite Third Breu tradition is passing along the "hand" of the dorm's namesake, Ruth Anne Breuninger. This bloody (plastic) body part makes its way to new hiding places throughout the semesters, and can even be found hanging from the ceiling sometimes when you first enter the floor.
Assistant Hall Director Travis Trotman thinks of Breu students as vibrant, energetic and passionate.
"The way Breuninger residents create new traditions and engage with the wider Taylor community allows for them to make their mark and presence known on campus," Trotman said.
His favorite traditions are Storm's a Breuin' on Third Breu and Red, White, & Breu on 2Breu.
After completing his Master of Arts in Higher Education degree, Trotman will move on from Breuninger Hall; although, he is thankful for his time working there and will cherish each experience.
Senior Madeleine Burkholder has lived in Breu 330 for all of her on-campus semesters and serves as a PA her senior year. Friends and the relaxing atmosphere originally drew her there.
"While all dorms have different cultures and personalities represented, Breu is quite the hodgepodge - we are coed and connected to Gerig - a lot of different interests, hobbies, personalities and experiences are housed in Breu," Burkholder said.
Her favorite tradition is driving to The Barking Cow before the Welcome Weekend Luau. It connects all 50 girls on her floor to start the year off strong, and ice cream is always a plus.
Junior Hudson Childs is currently a PA on First Breu. He has lived there his entire time at Taylor and listed it as his first choice because of his roommate's suggestion. After experiencing Breu for two years, he decided that living in a new dorm comes with its ups and downs.
"It's great because we have the unique opportunity, as a blank slate, to make our own traditions and 'dorm feel,'" Childs said. "Wengatz and Sammy don't really have that because they're so established. The downside is, right now, we don't have that tight-knit feeling around certain events or traditions like they do, so we have to work very hard to get there."
His favorite dorm experience is The Watchman, their floor initiation tradition. He cannot give away what actually goes down, but according to him, it's wild, crazy and fun. He encourages new people to consider moving in if they are thinking about Breu.
Quirky. Relaxed. Goofy. Chill. Diverse. Enthusiastic. All of these words encompass the dorm with the culture that is the most difficult to define. As Breuninger Hall still seeks to make its definitive mark in 2019, it is filled with loving and unique people seeking a new Taylor experience.
