Davenport is known as the college of legacies. But after a cursory exploration, one can see why students would choose to reside in the same residential college as their parents: Davenport is far superior to all other colleges.

This is evident, for example, in the beauty of the building. The Gothic exterior contrasts drastically with the warm colonial-style interior of red brick walls and green shutters.

Davenport, always a force to be reckoned with, looks to best last year’s second-place finish with an intramural championship this year. In addition to sports, Davenport is riding high on its prowess at caring for the Earth, having won last year’s Green Cup, the recycling competition.

Davenport’s dining hall features a Waterford crystal chandelier, the friendliest dining hall staff in all of Yale and gorgeous wood paneling. The dining hall also hosts a popular talent show each semester (with the word “talent” interpreted loosely).

This fall, Davenport welcomes new Master (and Davenport alumnus) Richard Schottenfeld ’71, his wife Tanina Rostain and their children Joseph and Mila. Already seasoned to the college after a solid semester of Davenport immersion are Dean Peter Quimby, his wife Laurie Quimby and their children Katie and Timothy.

The presence of four youngsters will not deter seniors living in the “Cottage,” a small brick house in D-port, from hosting numerous get-togethers throughout the year. A wood-paneled bar and a mounted deer head provide the “cozy lodge” feeling in the Cottage’s party-hosting common room. The roles are reversed each spring, when the Davenport upperclassmen trek to Vanderbilt to enjoy a party hosted by the Davenfrosh.

The basement of Davenport hosts a weight room, darkroom, pottery, art studio, squash courts and Davenport’s very own printing press. The “Davenport Dive” sells hot food every weeknight and serves as a popular hangout for foosball fiends and pool sharks.

D-port is named after John Davenport, a New Haven colony founder and the namesake of the popular outdoor spring social known as “JD Day.” The day’s events include outdoor buffets, live bands, dancing, various games and a stomach-twisting pie-eating contest.

Davenport: pride, tradition, excellence and a gnome. Bright college years do not get any brighter than this.

Jeannine Ruby is a junior in Davenport College.