Below the darkish night time of an October New Moon, the standard hum of busy college students and advisors within the College Research Overseas Consortium (USAC) workplaces in Reno, Nevada, had light, changed with stillness, silence, and the glow of “Exit” indicators.
A small group of ghost hunters — USAC employees members, buddies, household, and members of the Northern Nevada Ghost Hunters (NNGH) — gathers at 7 p.m., nervous and excited for what awaits them throughout the darkness.
Their mission: to discover the historic USAC headquarters buildings, the Annex, and the College of Nevada, Reno (UNR), Virginia Road Fitness center (VSG), all rumored to carry echoes of the previous. Some have claimed to have heard footsteps when nobody was there. Others had felt a sudden chill, and others have had an uncanny sense of being watched.
Unfold throughout a desk lie an assortment of instruments — dowsing rods delicate to energetic modifications; an Ovilus II that shares phrases picked up from its atmosphere; KII meters that shine inexperienced to purple with influxes in vitality; and a structured mild sensor (SLS) digital camera that may seize and show stick-like figures, displaying what the attention can’t see.
What they uncover and study is shrouded in thriller, leaving them with extra questions than solutions.
A glance again in time
The land on which UNR resides was as soon as occupied by Native Northern Paiute (Numu) and Washoe (Wašiw) peoples, ranchers, and homesteaders. In 1885, the college bought the land from native rancher John Newton “Newt” Evans. Morrill Corridor, the primary constructing on campus, was accomplished in 1886 and continued to develop all through time.
VSG, situated on the College of Nevada, Reno campus
Designed by Frederic J. DeLongchamps in 1938 to accommodate a rising pupil inhabitants, the athletics gymnasium was constructed on the northernmost fringe of the UNR campus at the moment.
Whereas the VSG was began in 1938, it wasn’t completed till 1945 — for seven years, it was placed on maintain whereas the undertaking waited for presidency funding and was used to accommodate the Air Pressure cadets for the U.S. Authorities throughout World Battle II. In 1945, it was opened for UNR athletics and seated 3,500 spectators. Right now, it options some UNR athletic video games and is dwelling to USAC’s advising crew.
Annex, situated throughout from the UNR campus on South Virginia Road
Inbuilt August 2017, USAC added a second location close to UNR to accommodate its rising employees and pupil focus. Whereas the land was as soon as dwelling to Native Individuals, homesteaders, and ranchers, it had beforehand been used for particular person properties. The Annex constructing immediately homes the group’s educational and enrollment, accounting, and knowledge know-how groups.
Night time reveal and reflections
For many who imagine the Annex and VSG housed extra than simply working employees and spooky tales, the night’s encounters advised they is perhaps proper. Investigators weren’t solely chilled by chilly spots and prickling goosebumps, however they discovered their instruments unusually lively — readings spiking, rods shifting, and pictures and voices captured on recording. Study extra about their experiences of their private recollections:
Isela Rodriguez, USAC/UNR research overseas specialist
“The VSG constructing has such a distinct vitality than a whole lot of buildings on campus, particularly at night time with the lights turned off. Listening to concerning the historical past of this space is sensible as to why it appears like that right here. So many individuals have walked by way of this constructing earlier than, with us, and even after us, so it’s secure to imagine that in case you imagine in that type of factor, there could also be vitality, spirits, or one thing roaming round.
What I can say is that I by no means felt scared or something adverse after we did the ghost hunt, which could be very comforting! The one factor I skilled with my group was throughout an digital voice phenomenon (EVP) session within the Annex. We recorded about two minutes of audio with us speaking, and after we performed it again, you might hear some sounds that we didn’t hear reside whereas we recorded. Nothing creepy, however undoubtedly one thing I didn’t hear with my very own ears initially.”
Jeadene Solberg, pupil accounting specialist
“As a seasoned paranormal investigator for greater than 20 years, I didn’t count on the USAC buildings to shock me — however they did. From the second we stepped into the Annex at nighttime, the ambiance shifted. Our meters spiked in unusual pockets, and the air felt charged with unseen vitality.
We cut up into two groups: one exploring the VSG, the opposite the Annex. That’s when issues obtained fascinating. Within the Annex, the accounting space pulsed with exercise, however the actual depth was downstairs within the VSG. As Cathy [a NNGH member]and I walked towards the [conference room], icy patches appeared, and a male presence brushed in opposition to my arms — not as soon as, however 3 times. Cathy sensed he was a prankster, ensuring we knew he was there. Within the room’s again closet, an older spirit flickered out and in, leaving solely silence behind.
Elsewhere within the VSG, shadows lurked within the entrance workplace. Cathy related with a doable student-athlete boxer spirit who spoke Spanish — grateful that somebody lastly heard him. The room was heavy with lingering souls.
After all the things we felt, heard, and noticed, one reality lingers: these buildings are alive — woven with historical past and stressed vitality. Nothing malevolent, simply mischievous spirits craving acknowledgment. And understanding that I spend many hours a day right here? That’s the actual haunting. The very best half? Discovering that a few of my coworkers are simply as delicate — if no more — than I’m. It turns the peculiar into one thing extraordinary … and just a bit chilling.”
Valentina Ossio-Marin, USAC registration assistant
“To start out off, I really loved testing out our personal vitality with the REM Pod (I feel that’s the identify, or at the very least probably the most correct identify) and attending to see what Jeadene and her good friend considered our vitality. Motive behind this was as a result of I come from a tradition that’s each non secular and religious; my aunt even taught my sister and I how you can do Reiki and browse energies which additionally makes me extra cautious of ghost or religious looking or on this case investigations within the likelihood there’s a malicious spirit. Nonetheless, I’m glad I went!
It was enjoyable studying how you can use the dowsing rods and much more intriguing that I used to be capable of make them work and reply a couple of questions! The accuracy of the solutions stays to be decided. It’s shocking to see simply what number of spirits had been in each buildings and why many lingered in sure areas. It was my first time actually listening to the background of each the VSG and Annex, and it was comprehensible why some spirits lingered. It was a enjoyable time.”
Virginia Dunn, USAC director of Human Assets
“To start out off, I really loved testing out our personal vitality with the REM Pod (I feel that’s the identify or at the very least probably the most correct identify) and attending to see what Jeadene and her good friend considered our vitality. Motive behind this was as a result of I come from a tradition that’s each non secular and religious; my aunt even taught my sister and I how you can do Reiki and browse energies which additionally makes me extra cautious of ghost or religious looking or on this case investigations within the likelihood there’s a malicious spirit. Nonetheless, I’m glad I went!
It was enjoyable studying how you can use the dowsing rods and much more intriguing that I used to be capable of make them work and reply a couple of questions! The accuracy of the solutions stays to be decided. It’s shocking to see simply what number of spirits had been in each buildings and why many lingered in sure areas. It was my first time actually listening to the background of each the VSG and Annex, and it was comprehensible why some spirits lingered. It was a enjoyable time.”
For greater than 40 years, USAC has supplied research overseas alternatives to tens of hundreds of scholars. The nonprofit’s concentrate on offering accessible, reasonably priced, and academically and culturally wealthy programming has led to its providing of greater than 50 packages in almost 25 international locations. Study extra about USAC at usac.edu.
