Preview
Creation Date
1-1-1931
Description
Date Built - 1931 as President's Home
Dedicated - Oct. 10, 1970
Other Names -
- Craig Alumni Center, 1966
- Craig Administration Building, 2015
Cost of Construction - $26,000
Renovations-1938, 1956, 1960, 1967
Architect - Brinton Davis
Namesake - The building was named after William J. "Uncle Billy" Craig who died in 1959. He had been a faculty member since 1908 and served as a placement director. From 1930-1953 he was secretary of the Western Alumni Association. The building was named after him in 1968.
History - The building was a three story Federal-style brick building that was first built as a president’s home. WKU's first three presidents Henry Cherry, Paul Garrett and Kelly Thompson lived in the house. In 1966, Kelly Thompson moved to a different residence and the Alumni and Placement Office moved into the building.
"The home has 16 rooms, five full baths, two one-half baths, a patio and a half basement. The first floor consists of a library, reception-living room combination, formal dining room, office, kitchen, recreation room and a family dining room. The second floor has five bathrooms and the third floor contains two bedrooms." [Western Kentucky University President’s Homes]
Upon completion of the Augenstein Alumni Center in 2013 the Alumni Relations, Placement, Advancement Services & WKU Foundation offices moved out of the Craig Alumni House. Craig Alumni underwent renovations through 2014 and reopened as the Craig Administrative Building. President Gary Ransdell moved his office to the refurbished building in 2015.
Additions:
1937 - redocorating
1956 - sun porch at the back of the house was converted into a family room
1960 - renovations; closed the back entrance and a fire escape from the third floor
1979 - new home was renovated
1984 - renovation of downstairs rooms; repaired the exterior and interior
2014 - renovation
See also WKU President's Homes Bibliography
Keywords
Western Kentucky University