Correction: This story has been modified from its original version. — A building in the Veterinary Medicine Facility is named for former President William Lavery. The Collegiate Times regrets this error.
Opened in 2004, the Chemistry/Physics building was recently renamed in honor of former President Thomas Marshall Hahn Jr. Other buildings, such as the 11-year-old New Residence Hall East, are still waiting for permanent names.
Naming campus buildings runs through President Charles Steger and the Board of Visitors, but the Commemorative Tributes Committee considers all nominations initially.
University spokesman Larry Hincker said buildings are named for people who have made significant contributions to the university.
"It all comes down to impact," Hincker said.
The committee is comprised of eight members, including several university vice presidents, the President of the Faculty Senate, the President of SGA and the Chief Operating Officer of the Virginia Tech Foundation.
According to the Policy on Commemorative Tributes, written in 1969, "The University Commemorative Tributes Committee is responsible for reviewing proposals for the naming of buildings, other physical facilities, centers, institutes, etc., and for making recommendations to the president."
In order for a new name to be approved, it must then be approved by the president and the Board of Visitors.
Most buildings on campus are named for individuals.
"The naming of a building, part of a building, or other facility or property of the university is a high honor and would not be done casually," the policy says. "The honor is reserved for those who have made extraordinary contributions to the University through their achievements in service and/or in financial support to the university."
Peddrew-Yates and New Residence Hall East were both completed in 1998.
While Peddrew-Yates Hall was immediately named after two of Virginia Tech's first African-American students, New Residence Hall East has yet to be renamed.
Hincker said the committee has received several nominations, but the names were rejected for various reasons.
Many buildings named after individuals are named for their academic impact.
Virginia Tech's last ten presidents are honored by buildings bearing their name.
However, according to the policy, they may also be named for an individual's financial contributions.
Campus buildings have also been named after major university benefactors. Jamerson Athletic Center, Durham Hall and Pamplin Hall are each named for generous financial contributors.
Like New Residence Hall East, several buildings have had to wait for permanent names. Pamplin Hall was completed in 1957, but was not given its current name until 1967. Robeson Hall waited eight years, while Price, Litton-Reaves and Norris Halls also were renamed after their completion.
There are five buildings on campus named for women, ten for university presidents and one for a geographic feature.
- Kristen Mankosa contributed to this report
Leave a comment 2 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
Peddrew-Yates did not immediately take on that name. It was called 'New Residence Hall West' for several years including '99-'00 and '00-'01 when I lived in it.
Reply to this Top
Correct, it was added as a carrot to the activist community which had been howling for several years over whether Lee Hall's namesake was a member of the Ku Klux Klan (ultimately proven he was not).
Reply to this Top