Welcome to Campus -
New Signs and Maps at Antioch
By Rachel Moulton ’97

Antioch hosts a number of visitors each semester, from those looking to watch Antioch student productions to prospective students looking for that perfect college. People visit campus to go to plays in the Miles “Budd” Goodman Amphi-theatre, to hear visiting lecturers in the Herndon Gallery, and to attend Friday Forums in McGregor Hall. Antioch draws an audience from across the country, but until very recently, the campus was not as welcoming as it could have been.

One of the first signs up marks McGregor Hall.

“The genesis for the signage project began with Joan Straumanis’ ’57 charge to the Presidential Admissions Commission,” explains Michael Murphy, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. Light blue signs boasting the Antioch “circle-A” logo have popped up in front of buildings all over campus, two provide full campus maps. In addition to these signs, Michael Murphy, Senator Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Transportation recently helped to place a state sign at the intersection of I-70 and State Route 68 pointing all towards Antioch.

A map of campus welcomes visitors outside of Admissions.

President Joan Straumanis asked the Presidential Admissions Commission to investigate steps that would enhance the work of Admissions. While the appearance of the signs may seem like a minor improvement to campus, they connect to the much larger issue of the physical plant. “Prospective student visits are one of the most important steps in recruiting,” Murphy explains. “When prospective students come to visit campus, they’re very likely to apply. One of the measures of how outward looking an institution is most often is how welcoming it is to people who come to visit.”

The signage project began to gain steam when Beverly (Bev) Viemeister ’49 - local resident and former Trustee - got involved. Bev’s history with and love of Antioch combined with her knowledge of design - her late husband, Read Viemeister, owned local design company Vie Design - made her instrumental to the project. Through a series of connections beginning with Straumanis and Viemeister and ending with professional designer Robert Allen, son-in-law of Antioch graduates Joseph Maloney ’50 and Ellen Maloney ’51, all of the design work for the signage was done pro bono. Allen’s company, Andco Industries of Greensboro, North Carolina, specializes in the signage that helps visitors navigate stadiums, airports, and campuses. Allen spent a good deal of time getting to know the campus’s layout by walking around, taking photos, and gathering samples of the publications materials being implemented by Admissions.

In addition to this generosity and good work, the class of ’53 is raising funds for this special project in celebration of their 50th Anniversary. With Marcia (Brussel) Dugan ’53, Ted Fritsch ’53, and Betty (Corcoran) Fuchs ’53 taking the lead, the class of ’53 hopes to raise the funds necessary to cover the cost of manufacturing the signs.

With signs intentionally designed to match the view book, the website, and the catalog, Antioch is making strides to create a friendly and easily identifiable campus. A campus that will welcome outsiders and give Antiochians of all generations a sense of connection, recognition and pride.

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