Grise Hall

Creator

Ben Johnson

Preview

Creation Date

1966

Description

Other Names - Commerce Education Building
Date Built - 1966
Dedicated - Oct. 14, 1967
Cost of Construction - $1.6 million
Architects - Ben Johnson & Associates, Owensboro

Namesake:
Finley C. Grise was born in Lewisburg, Kentucky on February 1, 1886. He earned his B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from George Peabody College for Teachers. He earned the Life Certificate at WKU. He was a teacher for the Logan County schools. In 1913 Dr. Grise came to Western as a teaching assistant in English and Latin. In 1918 he was appointed head of the Latin department. In 1927 he became chairman of the Curriculum Committee and in 1932* was named Dean of the College and head of the Foreign Languages department. During his long career at Western he was recognized as an outstanding educator and as a leader in Kentucky's higher education development. [Peaks of Progress, 1967]

*Grise was named head of the Foreign Language Department in 1918. He served as interim dean from 1927 to 1929 when he was officially named dean of the college. He held these positions until his retirement in 1959. [Finley Grise Personnel File]

History: The building came online in March 1966.

Grise Hall was once used to accommodate the departments and offices of the Bowling Green College of Commerce and some of the offices for the departments of Education and Psychology. The 5 story building has an office wing, a classroom-laboratory wing, and an auditorium lecture extension. It has 65 classrooms, 159 offices for faculty and staff, an auditorium that seated 450, and 14 laboratories. [Peaks of Progress, 1967]

Park City Daily News:
"Construction Tempo at Western Due to Pick Up," July 23, 1965.

Craig, Coutney. "Work at Grise Hall Leads to Air Problems," June 15, 2005.

Gaines, Pipes, "Growth, Programs Mark College of Commerce," Apr. 16, 1967

"Nearing Completion," photo, Dec. 2, 1965.

"On the Way Up," photo, March 21, 1965.

Weaver, LaMar. "Sign Painting," photo, April 8, 1988.

"Western Plans New Building," Oct. 1, 1964.

"Western's Amazing Growth Continues," Oct. 1, 1965

White, Brian. "Regents OK Grise Hall Replacement," July 22, 2006.

"Work Begins on Classroom Builidng," Dec. 15, 1964.

Louisville Courier-Journal:
Pardue, Anne. "$1,639,302 Bid on Job for Western," Nov. 25, 1964

"Western State College Grows and Grows," photo, July 24, 1965.