×

Building reopens

As Davis & Elkins College begins a new semester and enters its 113th year, a historic and beloved building on campus has reopened following an extensive renovation.

Originally built in 1924 and remodeled following a fire in 1956, the building once known as the “Science Hall” was renamed in honor of Dr. Charles E. Albert in 1958. Albert Hall welcomes back faculty and students into newly renovated classrooms, hallways and stairwells. It also has had a new heating and air conditioning system installed and new wiring throughout.

The building now houses classrooms, faculty offices and The Naylor Learning Center. The stately and iconic building at the entrance of the D&E campus stands ready to educate the next generations of students.

The building’s namesake, Dr. Albert, came to the college in 1911 as an instructor in mathematics and physics. He served as dean from 1922-1935, acting president in 1935-36 and president from 1936-39. He continued teaching physics and engineering and retired in 1957.

As I toured the renovated structure recently, I wondered about the stories those walls could tell. Times have changed, dramatically, since 1924. Students today have many differences from students 90 years ago. Yet, much is similar. Today’s students, like those in 1924, are on a journey of exploration. Sitting in those classrooms are young men and women who have hopes and dreams, anxieties and fears, challenges and unlimited possibilities. Students today, just like students of decades ago, are wishing to acquire job skills as well as seeking that which brings meaning to their lives, in other words, a sense of vocation. Parents of today’s students are proud of accomplishments and worried about the future, not unlike their grandparents and great-grandparents worries of long ago. Faculty members, standing in front of the classroom, engage young minds with fresh concepts and challenge assumptions, just as Dr. Albert did in his time. Those walls, with fresh paint, continue to witness transformation of lives through higher education. That makes Albert Hall, along with all the places of learning across this campus, sacred ground.

I wish to thank all those that contributed financially to make the renovation possible. To be more direct, I wish to thank all those that chose to invest wisely in the continuing transformation of the students of D&E. Attractive and functional classrooms and facilities across campus are important to provide the best possible learning environment. We should all be thankful, and assured, that within this refreshed space Davis & Elkins faculty will continue to provide the transformative education that Dr. Albert provided for so many alumni.

For today’s students, and for generations of students to come, stately Albert Hall will continue to stand as a beacon to all who come onto the D&E campus as it has done since 1924. In this building, along with the others across campus, the life journey of our students is forever impacted. I can only imagine that Dr. Albert would be proud and grateful.

The journey continues. …

Chris A. Wood is president of Davis & Elkins College.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $3.92/week.

Subscribe Today