Wandering the Streets of A2

Mikoyan, proprietor of the photography-based blog Michigan Exposures and frequent MZone contributor, recently wandered the streets of A2, camera in hand.  Don't know about you, but I never tire of seeing the campus.  Even more so now that I don't live close enough to make it there on a regular basis.  And with many of our readers also spread across the country, thought you'd like to get ready for Meeechigan's upcoming season with a stroll around A2.

Let the memories commence!

No stop to U-M's campus would be complete without walking past the Endover Cube or, as it's more commonly known, The Cube.

Remember the first time you spun it?

Next up is the Fleming Administration Building. Need to know more? Take it away, Mikoyan:

This building was designed by Alden Dow who was the son of the founder of Dow Chemical and resident of Michigan. He started out his academic career at the University of Michigan and was studying engineering to work at his father's company. After three years, he transferred to Columbia University where he studied architecture. He worked with the Saginaw firm of Frantz and Spence for a while and then he studied under Frank Lloyd Wright. After which he returned to Midland and opened his own firm.
Construction on the Fleming Building started in 1965 and was completed in 1968. It houses the Adminstration of the University. It almost looks like it could be used as a fortress if necessary.

I agree about the fortress assessment.  And because the Fleming Administration Building has been the site of many-a-student protest over the years, it's probably a good idea!

Ready for its next student protest

Ah, The Michigan Union. One of my favorite buildings on the entire campus. Below, Mikoyan looks up at the Michigan Union Tower.

Any alums of the U-M law school? Then the pic below of the reading room will bring back some memories. Or as I call it, "that place you went after you realized the Ugli wasn't for studying."

SHHHHHH!

Below is a shot Mikoyan took looking north on State Street.  While the names of the restaurants and bars may change every couple of years, thankfully, it still looks the same.

Obviously school's not in session: nobody is almost getting run over!

What better place to end our quick trip around A2 than a walk through the Diag. Here's a shot of West Engineering building.

Last, but not least...

I still won't step on the damn thing!

If you look close, you'll notice the "M" at the center of the Diag was a gift from the class of '53.  Talk about the ultimate class gift!  There is no way to top that.  You just know the class of '54 was going, "We are so fucked!"

Which is probably why I don't believe my class did anything (at least not to my knowlege).  I'm guessing everybody post-'53 just said, screw it.