Preview
Creation Date
1953
Description
Proposed Student Union site plan, floor plans and elevations.
Other names of building - Paul L. Garrett Student Center, Student Union Building
Date Built - began 1952, completed in 1953
Cost of construction - $700,000
Expansion - $1.2 million
Razed - 2021
Architects - J. Maurice Ingram and John F. Wilson of Louisville and Lexington
Namesake - Paul Loos Garrett was born in Waddy, Shelby County, Kentucky, on November 2, 1893. He earned an A.B. degree at Georgetown (KY) College in 1914 majoring in history and political science and an M.A. in 1935 in psychology and education. He did more graduate work at the University of Chicago and the University of Kentucky. He was awarded an honorary LL.D. from Georgetown College in 1938. After a brief stint in the army during World War I he went on to teach at several high schools throughout Kentucky, becoming superintendent of city schools at Versailles in 1924. In February 1937 Garrett took a leave of absence to serve in A.B. Chandler's administration as director of the Division of Personnel Efficiency. [Harrison, p. 110] Named for President Garrett by the Board of Regents on July 2, 1955.
History - "The completely air-conditioned Paul L. Garrett Student Center provides the Western campus with approximately three times its former space for student activities. The ground floor contains two cafeterias and accompanying kitchen facilities. Combined seating capacity for the two cafeterias is six-hundred and ninety-three. The first and second floors house fourteen meeting rooms, three conference rooms, the Snack Bar, Post Office, Center Store, Memorial Room and Faculty Room. One of the most magnificent features of the new structure is the Ballroom on the second floor, a spacious room that seats approximately one thousand for banquets and provides a beautiful setting for student dances and other activities." [The Paul L. Garrett Student Center open house, Oct. 23, 1965]
There was a bronze plaque with relief portrait of Paul Garrett measuring 25" x 36" in the vestibule.
Paul L. Garrett Student Center. Dedicated to the Memory of the man who served as president of Western Kentucky State College, September 1937 - February 1955. His greatest interest was the welfare of his students.
Additions:
1964 - expansion to triple the size began; additions to the lower level and to the 3rd floor, cafeteria was enlarged (app. $1.2 million)
Park City Daily News:
"Appeals court will hear arguments on campus," April 18, 2000
"Cornerstone for Student Union Building laid," Mar. 5, 1952
"Court rules against architect in suit for additional fee," Oct. 6, 1957
"Hilltop is busy place," Sept. 13, 1964
"Initial event staged in Student Union Building; formal dedication set later," April 25, 1953
"Student Center expansion bid is 1.2 million," April 1, 1964
"Western Student Center Enlargement Planned," Aug. 7, 1963
Martin, John. "WKU ballroom will become a courtroom," June 9, 1994, p. 1
Photograph: "Watch out below," Mar. 36, 1990
Reagan, Stan. "Supreme Court brings wheels of justice to BG," May, 19, 1994, p. 1
"Projects move ahead," Louisville Courier-Journal, Feb. 20, 1965
Keywords
Western Kentucky University