[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.66″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”22″ border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n
The Bald Spot<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.66″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”18″ border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n Leslie Moore<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.66″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n The large open space between Carleton\u2019s Skinner Memorial Chapel and the Gould Library is affectionately known as \u201cthe Bald Spot.\u201d Encircled by academic and administrative buildings, it functions as a social and recreational gathering place for students and faculty alike.<\/p>\n During the warmer months, Frisbees fly near napping students. In winter, the space is flooded and frozen to form two ice rinks for figure skating, hockey, and late-night games of broomball. On occasion, in response to public crises, it serves as a meeting place for the entire campus.<\/p>\n In May 1970, after four students protesting the U.S. attack on Cambodia were killed at Kent State, students and faculty met at the Bald Spot to support political science professor Paul Wellstone\u2019s recommendation that Carleton strike to protest the Vietnam War. For the next four days, classes were suspended and speeches were given urging students to peacefully boycott the war.<\/p>\n Wellstone, who had been teaching at Carleton since 1969, won a U.S. senate seat in 1991 and served for a decade before tragically dying in a plane crash in 2002. The Carletonian said it best in January 1974: \u201cSomeone with as colorful and dynamic a career at Carleton as Paul Wellstone is not likely to slip quietly away.\u201d His legacy continues at Carleton through the student interest house, Wellstone House of Activism (WHOA).<\/p>\n The Bald Spot continues to host recreational and serious activities. In June, the annual college graduation exercises are held there.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery _builder_version=”3.0.66″ show_title_and_caption=”on” show_pagination=”on” gallery_ids=”698,699,697,695,696,693,692,691,690″ fullwidth=”off” orientation=”landscape” zoom_icon_color=”#1eaa98″ hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” background_layout=”light” border_style=”solid” auto=”off” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_audio _builder_version=”3.0.66″ title=”Paul Wellstone’s 1992 Convocation.” audio=”https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1052\/2017\/08\/Paul_Wellstone_1992_Convocation.mp3″ background_layout=”dark” border_style=”solid” \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"