Purdue University - Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

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ELIZA FOWLER HALL

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THE PAST YEAR HE history of the past year is the history of the most eventful epoch of the University ' s existence. Never before have such numerous and important steps in material progress been made ; never before has there been an equal uplift in the culture and mental life of the University ; never before has the University passed through the stress of so grievous a trial as was her lot in the year which now passes into history. That the record of those events which have distinguished the year may be preserved for our own recollection in future years, and for the benefit of succeeding generations of students, is the purpose of this history. No doubt the event of the year whose results have been, and will be, the most far-reaching, has been the completion and opening for use of the new assembly building, Eliza Fowler Hall. The need of some central institution at the University about which the various activities will be centered, of a place of meeting of students and faculty in deHberative or other assembly, and of a place for the gathering of audiences for the purposes of culture and entertainment, had long been a sore one at Purdue University. The gift of Mrs. Eli: Fowler to the University of the beautiful hall which bears her name has happily satisfied this need. The building is in itself a refining influence, in that it is an or- nament to the campus and appeals to the esthetic sense of every one. It is built of planed sandstone and white pressed brick, with a tiled roof. It is tastefully adorned with sculptured designs in relief, and the front portal is carved and gilded. One enters the building through an imposing doorway, and finds himself in a large and beautifully ornamented lobby, on either side of which are handsome marble stairways leading to the balcony. The auditorium is nearly square, and contains 1,369 opera chairs, so placed that there is no seat from which the rostrum is not in plain sight and easy hearing. The ceiling and mural decorations are modeled in deep relief, and are dignified and har- monious. Illumination by day is accompHshed by large windows which occupy the greater part of the east and

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INTERIOR OF ELIZA FOWLER HALL