Preview
Creation Date
1970
Description
Other Names - Men's Dormitory #10
Date Built - opened 1970
Cost of Construction - $4.3 million
Size - 246'7", 180,400 square feet
Architects - Ryan Associated Architects
Namesakes:
William Pearce served as Ogden College president from 1913 to 1920 when he resigned to become the director of WKU's Department of Extension and Correspondence. He held this position until his retirement in 1959. Pearce was WKU president Kelly Thompson's father-in-law.
M.C. Ford (1888-1940) attended Hartford College before enrolling in Western in 1909. He joined the faculty at WKU in 1913, teaching science and agriculture and becoming the chair of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. Ford obtained his PhD from the University of Wisconsin and served Western until his untimely death in 1940.
History:
The 27 story men's dormitory opened in the fall of 1970 and accommodated 920 residents. At the time, it was the tallest building in Southern Kentucky at 246 feet, 7 inches. Pearce-Ford Tower is 180,400 square feet and has apartments for a dorm director and two assistants. During 1993-94 the first ten floors were reopened before renovations were completed due to an unexpected increase in the number of incoming freshman.
Ghost story:
When Pearce-Ford Tower was built, an elevator repairman fell down the elevator shaft, plummeting 27 stories to his death. The body was never discovered.
When the building closed for the semester, people who live there say that the elevators would run automatically and the doors open and close, but no one else is in the building.
In 1995 when a worker was installing a new air conditioner unit, he was crushed by it.
It is now believed that whenever the air conditioning unit rattles, or does not work properly, it is the ghost of the repairman reminding residents of his fatal accident. [Alumni Magazine, Fall 1997]
Additions:
1988 - repaired flaking bricks
1993-1994 - $200,000 renovations
2007 - $9.5 million lobby, first and second floor renovations and new fire alarm system and lighting; 3000 square foot convenience store and restaurant.
2008 - creation of Learning and Living Communities
Park City Daily News:
"$3.97 Million Low Bid on WKU Dorm," Aug. 30, 1968.
Bauer, David. "Flaking Brick on WKU Dormitory Being Repaired," Dec. 10, 1987.
Dennis, Andy. "Student Overflow to Keep Dorm Open," Aug. 8, 1993.
"Former Extension Head, William M. Pearce, Dies," Sept. 4, 1970.
Hightower, Paul. "It Does Have a Top," photo, May 28, 1970.
"The Tallest," photo, Dec. 10, 1972.
Jackson, Lisa. "Western Buzzing Incident Sparks FAA Investigation," Aug. 31, 1987.
Jordan, Natalie. "Like-Minded Living," Sep. 10, 2008, Learning & Living Communities.
"Tower Getting Renovations," July 25, 2007.
Reagan, Stan. "Heating Unit Falls, Crushes Man at WKU," Sep. 19, 1994.
Roe, Bobby. "In the New Snack Bar," photo, Feb. 6, 1985.
Sisco, Scott. "PFT ‘Prank’ Costing Money, Nights of Sleep," April 12, 2003.
"Police Investigate Residence Hall Fires," Feb. 20, 2002.
Weaver, LaMar. "Tower Repair," photo, May 11, 1988.
"Western Plans 28-Story Dormitory for 920 Men," July 31, 1968
"Western Student Jumps from PFT," Nov. 9, 2006, Dylan Prott.
"WKU Residence Hall to Close for Renovation," April 14, 1993.
Wildman, Judy. " KEWS Emergency Warning System Airlifted Into Place on Tower," Aug. 11, 1978.
Louisville Courier-Journal:
"Kentucky's Tallest Dorm," photo, Aug. 1, 1968.
Ryan, Ed. "27-Story Dormitory Planned at Western Kentucky University," Aug. 1, 1968
Tower Dormitory for Western Men Opens Next Fall, Press Release 9/17/1970:
It is now under construction near the South end of the Western campus by Allen and O’Hara Inc. of Memphis, Tenn. The $4.3 million air-conditioned structure will contain 180,400 square feet of enclosed space and accommodations for 920 men students. Apartments for dorm directors, study lounges, a lobby, and other facilities are also included.
Pearce-Ford Tower, the 17th residence hall on the Western campus, outstretches the 23-story twin dormitories on the University of Kentucky campus – Blanding Tower and Kirwan Tower. Bowling Green’s tallest building at present is Western Towers, 15-story dormitories located off campus and owned privately.
W.M. Pearce served as Director of the Department of Extension and Correspondence at Western from 1920 until he retired in 1959. He also served as advisor and unofficial aid to two Western presidents, Dr. H.H. Cherry and Dr. Paul L. Garrett.
Dr. M.C. Ford was a member of the Western faculty from 1913 until 1940. He was head of the Department of Agriculture for his last 22 years at Western. He also acted as advisor to Dr. Cherry and Dr. Garrett.
Keywords
Western Kentucky University