Patrick Bradley ‘14 Sports Editor, Schuyler Watkins ‘14 Associate Editor-in-Chief, Nichole Raver ‘16 Staff Writer
For those of us who grew up watching Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark? ghost stories are taken a bit more seriously. As Halloween draws closer, the superstitions grow more and more anxious and the idea of ghosts becomes much more believable. The general population is split on this topic, though: people who believe in ghosts and people who don’t.
I was never a believer in ghosts. I’m the type of person that enjoys finding faults in people’s stories, disproving the seemingly indisputable. So when I heard the story of the Ash Ghost three years ago, I was skeptical. For those of you unfamiliar with the story, here’s a synopsis via StrangeUSA:
There is a mysterious fire ghost who roams Ash Hall. He wears a charred and blackened fireman outfit, and often wields an axe. A fire alarm sounds during the night on many occasions sending students outside into the dark night. Here they may catch a glimpse of his darkened figure in various dorms windows, while they listen to the sound of the sirens rushing to the scene to secure the false alarm. Students return to a scent that is often described as being similar to that of a smoldered burnt out campfire and fire traces of ash and soot on doorknobs and handrails, though a single flame is never found.
Over the years, many residents have been able to attest to the screeches and whispers that fill the hallways late at night. Sophomore, Nichole Raver, has opened up to explain her personal Ash ghost experience.
“Me, being a transfer student, I was unaware of the ghost stories already told in my wing, and was in for a surprise. On a Thursday night around 4am, I woke up to a figure standing in the middle of my room that seemed to be staring at my roommate’s bed. I assumed it was my roommate until I heard her snore and realized she was fast asleep. The figure floated over to my desk and before I could flash my phone’s light on it, the figure was gone. I was not a believer in ghost stories until I was able to witness it first hand at this special spot on campus.”
At a glimpse, Ash Center appears to be like any other college dorm building. However, beneath the antique exterior are the ghosts that lurk the damp halls, looking for a way out. Sure, Ash is filled with freshmen, typically immature, who may find it funny to pull fire alarms, but with the frequency that this stupid crime takes place it raises questions as to the legitimacy of the legends.
