Home to 49 residents and first occupied in 1959, Graham Hall was built by students as part of the Work Program and is named after Carl Graham, who gave the funds for construction. It was built before its “twin” Challacombe (North) Hall, whose design was modeled after Graham’s.
But to many, Graham is far more than a building. To many it’s a home and even more than that, it’s a family. One of the more high-profile dorm dynamics on Blackburn’s campus, they call themselves Graham Fam, and even if you didn’t know it, you’ve seen them. When it’s warm–and sometimes when its not–members of Graham Fam gather outside the long brick building to smoke or to vape. Candy-scented clouds hang perpetually outside the door even when no one is present at the picnic table.
Obviously, Graham Fam is about more than vaping, and the Fam isn’t just open to Graham residents. Much of the culture of Graham centers on the nerdy. Residents tend to be fans of videogames, sci-fi and/or fantasy, but for senior psychology major Katie Payne who neither lives in Graham nor is a big fan of video games, that doesn’t matter. “I just sit there while [Graham residents] explain [games like “League of Legends” or “World of Warcraft”] to me like, ‘wow, that sure is a thing,’” she said, adding that “at the same time they’ll listen to me blather on about gender and cartoons for 20 minutes.”
Previously coined the “quiet dorm,” Graham is really anything but. Graham house council recently voted to get rid of perpetual quiet hours every day of the year, but by all accounts, Graham had been loud for much longer. Due to the sense of camaraderie Graham residents feel, doors are usually left open for residents to chat and hang out. And as many Graham residents are musical, guitar music can often be heard. And on Fridays and Saturdays, “People are happy that it’s the end of the week and they’re just running up and down the halls,” said senior major Eric Walsh.
But as with any group of people, there are misconceptions surrounding Graham Fam. “People think Graham Fam is this exclusive thing, but if you’re willing to come out of your shell and come out of your room you’ll be accepted for who you are,” said Walsh. And while that may be true, Payne said, “Some people don’t jive with that.”
But no matter how you feel about them, you’ve seen Graham Fam, and you’ll keep on seeing them.