University of Akron - Tel Buch Yearbook (Akron, OH)

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John Wortman, on behalf of the Alumni Association, which he heads, hands President Hezzleton E. Simmons the 365,000 check representing the sponsor's share of the cost of the new engineering building. THE NEW ENGINEERING BUILDING It was Friday the thirteenth-but it was one of the luckiest days in the history of the University of Akron. 0n Friday, December 13, 193 5, the Works Progress Administration notified President Hezzleton E. Simmons that the Federal gov- ernment would supply S163,000 as its share to build the long-planned S22 8,000 Engineer- ing Building Addition-the start toward physically rebuilding the University. Attempts to expand the University be- gan in 1928, when the Board of Directors decided in favor of moving the University to Good Park on West Hill. The Alumni spon- sored a campaign to raise S150,000 to build a gymnasium. A bond issue to raise 553,000,000 for a plant on the proposed site was voted down by the citizens of Akron. Conse- quently, the University remained with its crowded conditions down in the geograph- ical center of the city. In the spring of 1934, an effort - was made to secure Federal money for a building on the present site. This definitely ended all plans to move the University to a new cam- pus. University oiiicials at first tried to ob- tain enough money from the Federal govern- ment to rebuild the entire University, but late in 1935, they were willing to settle for !Bl63,000 for the one building. Everyone at the University had given up the thought of ever receiving the money for new buildings, at least for the time being. That is, everyone except President Simmons. The president was determined. He made many trips to Columbus, Chicago, and Washington, and finally as a result of his efforts, this new building was authorized. 8 The difference between the government grant and the cost of the building was made up from the fund the Alumni had raised to build a gym. The Alumni Association pre- sented about 565,000 as the sponsor's gift to match the Federal grant. The new building is located on the cam- pus at the corner of Carroll and Sumner streets. It is a three-story building, 140 feet by 60 feet constructed of steel and brick with sandstone trim. All but the ground floor was completed and in use as this college year closed. i The ground floor, when finished, will con- tain the physics department which is now located in Olin Hall. The first floor, besides several classrooms and offices, holds a lecture hall with a seating capacity of over 300. This is used for the introductory lecture courses given in the General College. The second or top floor houses the secretarial science and commerce departments. Altogether, this structure increased the available floor space on the campus more than 50 per cent, adding 25,000 square feet to the former 48,000 square feet. President Simmons, commenting on the development, said, We have made the begin- ning for a new and greater municipal univer- sity which will be realized only when the city of Akron and some of its civic-minded people take up the cause of higher education in this 'The City of Opportunityf The citi- zens of Akron should make it possible for us to develop our complete plans with the aid of their counsel and resources.

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TIIE NEW ENGINEERING BUILDING

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South side of the old engineering building had to be shored up and a new supporting wall built. Classwork went on uninterruptedly. In January, 1936, the houses on the south- west corner of the cam- pus were razed and ground was broken for the new building Feb- ruary 4. if Vi? 3 , gl-Qfdffbi 3- 'K E91 ki, 1 - , k A 5 7, .4 Steelworkers began work on March 25.