Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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SANFORD RILEY HALL 7dTH the advent of Sanford Riley Hall college life at Tech has assumed a ’ ' new aspect and the advantages of a dormitory are already showing results, especially in the Freshman Class. For many years the intense need of a dormi¬ tory has been felt on the Hill, but no satisfactory arrangement could be found whereby such a structure could be obtained, until, through the generosity of the late R. Sanford Riley, to whom this book is dedicated, the dream of many Tech men was made to come true. Now that the extent of the influence of dormitory life has been given a workout and found satisfactory, every effort will be expanded to extend the privileges of this life to the entire student body. As it is now, there is accommodation for the members of the Freshman Class, with enough space left to take care of a few upper classmen. Strictly according to schedule the doors of Sanford Riley Hall were thrown open to greet the incoming class of 1931 as its first guest. In spite of the fact that there were a few things remaining to be finished up in connection with the construction of the building, temporary arrangements made it possible for the new men to enter into Tech life with unprecedented possibilities. Located as it is facing directly the gymnasium and somewhat elevated from the enjoining street level, the windows of the building offer unthought of views of the surrounding country. The building itself is of the Tudor style finished on the outside with hard-burnt, waterstruck brick laid in Flemish bond, with trimmings of gray cast stone. Entrance to the basement floor is provided from the sides while the main entrance opens directly upon the first floor. On the basement floor are provided all conceivable means for giving a home¬ like attitude to the dormitory. One large hall extends the length of the structure. This hall is divided in the middle by a folding partition to make a large common

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three tortuous flights of stairs, but once on his way he mounted the steps with a rapid clatter. The following morning the faculty was amazed when neighs instead of prayers greeted them at the chapel door. For a brief period of time in 1894 Professor George I. Alden served as Presi¬ dent of the Institute, prior to the assumption of that office by Dr. Thomas C. Men¬ denhall, who remained at the head of the college until 1901. Under Dr. Menden¬ hall’s supervision the Mechanical Engineering course was considerably altered and enlarged. Harold B. Smith was named the first professor to fill the chair in the Electrical Engineering department, which was established under Dr. Fuller’s administration, which position Professor Smith still retains. After a period of two years of supervision which the Institute enjoyed under Dr. Levi L. Conant, Professor of Mathematics, in the capacity of Acting President, Dr. Ira N. Hollis was chosen President of Tech, a position that he held until 1925. The gymnasium was added to the campus buildings under his guidance and the Department of Physical Education was inaugurated. The Institute, pass¬ ing through the unstable period of the World War under the direction of Dr. Hollis, played a worthy part in the world-wide struggle, through the concerted efforts of the faculty and students. During Dr. Hollis’ presidency the student body at Tech was considerably enlarged and a number of additions were made to the teaching staff. Captain Ralph Earle, U. S. N., retired, became Tech’s sixth President in the fall of 1925. Born in Worcester and a former student at the Institute, he was graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1896. He rose to the height of his distinguished naval career when, in 1916, he was made Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance in the Navy Department, with the rank of Rear Admiral. He dis¬ played exceptional initiative and zeal in his naval service, and several outstanding wartime achievements of the Navy were made possible by his ingenuity. Captain Earle entered into his duties at Tech with the same energy and undying spirit which had made him famous in the Navy, with the result that the Institute began a new era of expansion and development. The Fuller Swimming Pool in the gymnasium and the new Freshman dormitory, Sanford Riley Hall, are among outstanding evidence of Captain Earle’s activities. The library on the top floor of Boynton Hall has been remodeled and named Sinclair Hall. Under the present administration, classes from four o’clock to five have been practically eliminated, allowing the entire student body a free exercise per iod. The aus¬ picious progress made by the Institute during the brief period of time since Cap¬ tain Earle became its President bodes well for further betterment of existing de¬ partments and future development of new units in connection with the college.

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room for the students in the east end and a dining room in the west end. Open¬ ing off of the dining room is one of the most modern cafeterias imaginable. This cafeteria is planned to give the maximum service to the occupants of the dormi¬ tory as well as to furnish food of excellent quality to the other men who find it necessary to remain in the vicinity of the Hill at noon time. A billiard room under the auspices of the Tech Y. M. C. A. is also located in the basement, as well as the “Y” office and various other offices and rooms to accommodate the faculty members who make use of the building. The entire basement section is finished with white oak wainscot to a height of six feet, with a warm buff tinted accoustical plaster above this. On each side of the entrance to the common room are found massive fireplaces with oak mantles These fireplaces add much warmth to the appearance of the room, and in combi¬ nation with the heavily upholstered leather lounges and chairs and the addition of an orthophonic victrola, purchased by the tenants of the dorm, and the latest model of a cabinet radio outfit, made possible through the generosity of Atwater Kent, give the room an appearance of being the last word in comfort. On the first floor, on the left as one enters through the main doorway, is a large reception room equipped with a fireplace at one end, over which hangs a fine oil portrait of Sanford Riley. Across the hall is another and smaller reception room which serves more or less as a waiting room for ladies who happen to visit the dormitory, especially for proud mothers who come to see their sons. The remainder of the first floor is taken up with student rooms, as is the rest of the building. These rooms are designed to give the maximum service and still maintain the home-like atmosphere necessary to study. Nothing is lacking in making this splendid example of college dormitory the most modern and pleasing of structures, and great appreciation is due the alumni and members of the student body who have made such an edifice possible. Page sixteen