Farewell to the Annex
Students remember the unique community at the Residential Annex
UNIQUE COMMUNITY — The Residential Annex served as a more afford- able housing alternative to main campus.
Photo Credit: Will Collier
After countless semesters offering Liberty students a taste of off-campus life, the Residential Annex is finally closing its dorms at the end of the Spring 2017 semester.
With the campusreceiving extra housing in Fall 2017, the Annex will no longer be needed.
Nevertheless, many students will miss the Annex, and it has left its own lasting legacy which will live on in its residents as they move on-campus next semester.
Originally, the Annex closed down briefly for the Spring 2016 semester, causing students to migrate their belongings to the newly-built Commons II — a move-in aptly dubbed “The Annexodus” by several Annex residents.
By Fall 2016, however, the Annex reopened to accommodate the increasing population of Liberty students while extra housing was being built.
To entice students to stay on the Annex, Liberty offered perks such as no nightly curfew for those over 21-years-old.
Former Annex residents were pleasantly surprised by the opening, moving back into their old halls for one last year with the Annex community.
Annex residents Eli Fenbert and David Hutchens shared their memorable experiences at the Annex over the past year.
“I’m mostly going to miss the freedom we get here,” Fenbert said.
“There’s been a lot of trust, and people haven’t really violated that. This place is an escape from campus; a place where I can come and it’s quiet.”
From the “Mini-Rot” to outdoor hall meetings, life at the Annex has become a treasured experience full of memories for many students.
Students also fondly remember the many conversations with one another on lengthy 73 bus rides.
Other activities such as snowball fights in the courtyard, the emergency opening of the “Mini-Rot” during snow days and enjoying the swimming pool have made an impression on the students who have lived there for the majority of their stay at Liberty.
“For me, my favorite memory has been Annex capture-the-flag,” Fenbert said.
“Half the Annex came to play, and we had this giant game together. It was so cool watching the community come together to play a friendly game.”
Annex students claim their off-campus community has been one of the hidden gems of Liberty college life. The bond of the community even prompted students to make official Annex T-shirts after the closing in Spring 2016.
“I know everybody on my hall, but I probably know just as many people who aren’t on my hall,” Hutchen said.
“It’s easy to get to know people here. It’s really helped me being able to have a community of guys where you can just talk about almost anything and walk through the Word together.”
With its separation from campus living, Fenbert commented on how the Annex has enhanced his Christian life.
“Out here you can get away with a lot more, so it can be easier to veer off of your walk – but at the same time it really teaches you to own your faith and live it,” Fenbert said.
“You really feel convicted to live for Christ, especially out here.”
The Annex officially closes its doors – this time for good – on May 10, leaving in its wake hundreds of students who will always cherish the community and legacy it has created.
Sauppe is a feature reporter.