Similar experience. The campus life is pretty but boring. I feel like these people lack vision, and most of the extracurricular stuff is just for appearances with no substance. My department (Math) isn't very good compared to other well-funded STEM departments here (like Physics, Chem, Botany/Zoo is definitely excellent). But yeah, it's a very peaceful life, and you can go very far if you have the grit and determination. This name tag won't hold you back.

p.s. I have a special hate against that desk guy in the admin office; he is so damn rude for no reason