Buildings' names bear history

Many students walk through buildings such as Libbey Hall, Carlson Library and Gillham Hall every day, but they may know little about where the names for these buildings came from.

"These days, most buildings that are named after individuals are named after ... people who have donated significant amounts of money to the university," said Barbara Floyd, director of the Canaday Center in Carlson Library.

According to UT's policy manual, "Primary considerations for naming and [building] will be given in recognition of a substantial gift to the university."

What exactly constitutes a "substantial gift" is undefined.

"I don't think there is any rule that says you have to donate 'this' amount of money to get your name on a building," said Fred Peltier, the director of design and construction for Facilities Management.

Both Floyd and Peltier said the amount to be most likely more than $1 million.

Snyder Memorial is an example of a building named after its donors. In 1928, the university attempted to pass a levy to build the now-familiar Bancroft Campus. Students who were sympathetic to the cause went campaigning door-to-door.

"The students who came to the Snyder's home ... made a real impression on them," Floyd said.

Touched by a devoted student, the Snyders left UT a significant amount of money in their wills, Floyd said.

Although many buildings on campus are named for donors, there are other ways to get one's name forever engraved on the side of a building.

"Usually, when a [UT] president retires from office or leaves office, a building will be named after him," Floyd said.

William S. Carlson Library, for example, was named after President Carlson, who served UT from 1958-72 and was one of the longest serving presidents. He was also known for being a devoted researcher who published several books, she said.

"It seems appropriate that the library would be named for him," Floyd said.

According to UT's policy manual, one has to be dead or out of office for three years before a building can be named in his or her honor.

For those who don't plan on being a UT president but still want their names on a building, there are other approaches to take.

Performing a great service for the university is another way to be honored with a building name.

Gillham Hall, which used to house the UT library, is named for Mary Gillham, who served as a UT librarian for 48 years.

However, Floyd said that system is rarely used anymore.

"I don't know that just being a librarian would be enough to get your name attached to a building [now]," she said.

Peltier agreed, saying the process for naming buildings has "varied over the years."

Personal ties have also resulted in buildings being named for certain people.

Florence Scott Libbey, the namesake for Libbey Hall, performed no great service for UT, was not president and did not give the university any money.

Her husband, Edward Drummond Libbey, founder of Libbey Glass, helped Florence in the founding of the Toledo Museum of Art. But that's not the only thing she had going for her.

Florence Libbey was also the granddaughter of Jesup Wakeman Scott, the founder of UT.

If a building on campus is not named after a person, then, "[the name] officially has to be approved by the board of trustees," Peltier said.

Usually, according to Peltier, these names represent the functions of the building. He used Health and Human Services as an example.

How the name for the new residence hall will be chosen is not yet known.

"I haven't even heard any suggestions on that yet," Peltier said.

Floyd said naming the building with a consideration of UT's history in mind would be a good idea.

"It might be nice to name it after someone who was involved in student life in some way," she said.