Students Enter "Bellv of the Beast" GeDanken Society " Since we are always together. we know each other very well. Wecan help each other not only with science problems. but also with life's problems. " Chris Hill . senior With an eerie glow surrounding them, Harding students walk into the "Belly of the Beast. "The runnels under me school were damp and aU led ro dead ends, according to Isaac Brunning, senio r. However, he said the fun was in trying to find out what was behind the next bend. 258 Organizations The GeDanken Society, one of Harding's many science clubs, gathered together for one of their month ly meetings Thursday, Oct. 7. However, this night had a special theme -"Belly of the Beast." A tense atmosphere, accompanied by excited faces, was present as the GeDanken ~oci ety prepared CO embark into the depths of the Harding underground. While the club pnly had about 20 active members this year, almost 100 people gathered for the night's activity. "I could hardly wait to explore the runnels with my friends," Isaac Brunning. senior, said. The underground is a vast network oftunnels which wereonce used to conuol the temperature of the entire University, according to William Ryan, physical science professor, who led the night's expedition. "Coal was initially used in the heating of the University until the 1950'swhen we switched to natural gas," Ryan said. Ryan, an accomplished engineer, led the eager group through a brief question and answer period before the journey began. Ryan, also the former physical plant director for the Universi ty, spoke of the recent changes Harding has made in terms of the methodology of controlling the school's thermostar. One change included the replacement of the old heating and cooling sys tems . .' "The quality of the indoor environment has vastly improved si nce the changes," Ryan said. As the GeDanken Society entered the tunnels, they were amazed by the cleanliness and accessibility of the passageways, according to Jeremiah Palmer, sen ior. "Aside from a little graffiti, they were cleaner than I thought they would be," Palmer said. Students weaved and ducked their way under water pipes and over mud puddles, anxious to see what awaited them around the next corner. Participants found signatures on the walls of previous explorers, and were able to add their own. Students wandered for nearly half an hour before Ryan momentarily turned out the lights to signal that the exploring was nearing an end. Needless to say, the end came as a disappointment to many of the students. This was evident by the piercing screams that fo llowed. T he night ended a success. T he active members of the GeDanken Society, most of whom were science majors, met three times monthly to experience the joys of science and each others' company, according to Chris Hill, president. "Since we are always together, we know each other very well," Hill said. "We can help each other not onlywith science problems, bur with life's problems." So the next time you are walking to class or just strolling to the cafeteria, know that below you lies an adventure. Just ask the GeDanken Society; they will be eager to enlighten you . -Alan Seim
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