Angell, Dennison and Hill may be familiar names to students, as they are the monikers of campus buildings. But who are the namesakes of these buildings?
- Paul Wong
- PATRICK JONES/Daily
The Alfred Taubman Medical Library was named after its benefactor, who has given funds to build several other University buildings.
Angell Hall, the Shapiro Undergraduate Library and the Fleming Administration Building are all named after University presidents.
Former University President Robben Fleming’s building honors both he and his wife.
“I like that part of it best of all,” Fleming said. He felt his tribute was the logical place because it was the building he always occupied.
Whether former President Lee Bollinger will get a building named in his honor will depend on regent, dean and faculty nominations which could take up to 10 years to implement, said Judy Malcolm, director of development, communication and donor relations at the University.
Some buildings are named after a major donor and others honor someone who had a significant impact on the University community.
Donors must be accepted by the president, provost, regents and the dean of the school receiving the funding. Donors must provide a minimum gift proportional to the cost of the building. A dean, regent or faculty member nominates an honoree and the regents have the final say, Malcolm said.
“I would imagine it would please (the donors) that were able to help make it happen,” she added.
Former football coach Bo Schembechler at first declined and then accepted the honor of having the football helmet-shaped hall on South State Street named after him.
“I think he was protesting politely,” Malcolm said.
Schembechler Hall is the University’s largest athletic training facility.
Malcolm does not know if Bollinger will be honored with a building, but Karen Jania, acting head of reference at the Bentley Historical Library, said all presidents in the past have had one, “no matter what the circumstances were.”
James Duderstadt, Bollinger’s predecessor as president, does not have a building named in his honor, but more time must pass before the process begins for him, Malcolm said.
University alum and donor Robert Tisch who visited his building “thought it was a great place,” Malcolm said. He already had a fondness for the University because he met his wife here, she added.
Donor Herbert Dow has also visited the University to look at his building on North Campus, Malcolm said.
He stopped by while classes were in session and “appreciated seeing his building in action. He thought that was absolutely wonderful,” Malcolm said.
Mary Markley honors an 1892 graduate who married a professor and provided a home for students.
Alice Lloyd is named after a 20-year dean of women. Yost Ice Arena is named after a former Athletic Director Fielding Yost.
The David Dennison Building is named after a donor and Hill Auditorium honors former Regent Arthur Hill.