Carnegie Mellon University - Thistle Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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Donner Hall Donner Hall is an ultra-modern aluminum, steel, and glass structure which serves as the focal point of the dormitory residents of Carnegie Tech. Its attractive yet utilitarian design exemplifies the spirit behind the present and proposed expansion of Carnegie Tech’s physical plant, expansion which will eventually include entirely new fraternity housing, a new student union providing sufficient extracurricular facilities for all the students, and a complete stadium and athletic plant in the Tech Bowl. Donner Hall was dedicated in the spring of 1955 to the late William H. Donner, the noted philanthropist who contributed greatly to its construction in his will. The four living levels in Donner Hall provide housing for approximately two hundred fifty male students of Carnegie Tech. In the first floor lounge are two television sets, accommodating the varied preferences of the residents, as well as ample room for the weekly movies sponsored by the Men's Dormitory Council. The basement recreation room contains billiard and table tennis equipment, and even card tables for the inevitable bridge games and problem-working sessions. Also located in the basement is a snack bar which is a non-profit convenience for all the dormitory residents. Another facility for the use of all dorm residents is the basement laundry room, complete with automatic washing machines and dryers. A sub-basement is to be used as a field house for the proposed new Tech Bowl. Designed to meet optimum conditions of living comfort and operational efficiency, Donner Hal! is both practical and pleasant in its appearance. The attractive pastel walls in the rooms are actually cement block, and the furnishings and paneling are of solid pine, handsomely veneered and varnished. These adequately lighted surroundings arc those intended to be the most conducive to study, and certainly seem to fulfill their purpose. Aside from the actual physical facilities themselves, Donner Hall provides maximum opportunity for the individual student to adjust to group living. Although this is a little-recognized facet of the purposes of a dormitory, it is one of the most highly important. All college students must eventually learn to adapt their actions or behavior to the interests of society, and a good dormitory will provide an excellent training ground for this vital part of every education. Donner Hall, both in its design and operation, offers a great opportunity for college men to develop not only as competent members of their profession, but also as responsible and able members of society. 7

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Dormer Hall Macl.achlin

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School of Industrial Administration MacLachlin 8