The Campus

ADMINISTRATION AND GENERAL

ARTHUR G. COONS ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER, named by the Board of Trustees in honor of the College’s President from 1946 to 1965, was financed by the gifts of alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations. In the building are located the executive administrative offices and the Cushman Board Room. Erected 1968.

ALUMNI CENTER is temporarily relocated into a college-owned house at 1541 Campus Road while awaiting permanent renovation at its destination location. Erected 1945.

THE MARY NORTON CLAPP LIBRARY is the gift of Mrs. Emma B. Norton in memory of her daughter, Mrs. E. P. Clapp. The original structure of stacks and reading, reference, periodical, and seminar rooms was doubled in 1955, at which time a fine book room was equipped and furnished as a memorial to Carl F Braun through gifts from the Braun family. The Jeffers Room, with a capacity of forty-six, is a memorial to Robinson Jeffers of the Class of 1905. The Bill Henry Room is a memorial to an alumnus of the Class of 1914. The Louis, Hermione, Eileen and Harold Brown Family Learning Laboratory, with 19 state-of-the-art student multimedia computer stations, was completed in 2001. A four-story major addition in 1970 provides additional shelving space, reading rooms, an audio-visual study center, a computer classroom area, and a special collections area. Information Technology Services (formerly the Computer Center) has offices and offers services on the first floor of the library. Telecommunications is located on the ground floor. Erected 1924; first addition, 1955; second addition, 1970; renovation in 2000.

THE MARGARET BROWN HERRICK MEMORIAL CHAPEL AND INTERFAITH CENTER was made possible by a bequest of the late John Pierce Herrick in memory of his wife. This building provides a Chapel accommodating five hundred, with the Mildred Miles Crew Memorial Organ, a three-manual Schlicker instrument honoring an alumna of the Class of 1945, a large meeting room, smaller seminar and reading rooms, and office accommodations.Erected 1964.

THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT BUILDING houses the facilities front office, trades and crafts shops, and other offices including Campus Safety. Atop are four tennis courts.

The J. Stanley and Mary W. Johnson Student Center and Freeman College Union was completely remodeled and refurbished through generous donations from the 1992-1997 Campaign for Occidental and was enabled by a major donation from Trustee Emeritus J. Stanley Johnson and his wife, Mary Wig Johnson. The building, formerly known as the Robert Freeman College Union, serves as the center for student life. On the second floor, the 1998 renovation project includes the new Robert and Margery Freeman College Union Servery, and the Allen B. and Clara Thompson Gresham Dining Hall (given by Allen ’53 and Clara ’53 Gresham). Also renovated were the President’s Dining Room and the Faculty Commons. Two private dining rooms are named after John Parke Young ’17, former economics professor from 1926-1946 (given by William and Catherine Young Selleck ’55), and Roma Connor Salsbury (given by Stephen M. Salsbury ’53). Three individual meeting rooms and a private dining room are located off The Branca Family Patio (given by John G. Branca ’72). The meeting rooms are named after Clancy Morrison, manager of Freeman Union for nearly five decades, Betsey G. Sutton (given by Betsey Grant ’42 Sutton) and J. Clifford “Iron Man” Argue ’24, former Olympic pentathlete and Occidental College record holder in track and field (given by John C. ’53 and Liz Argue). A dining facility is named the Leonard I. Green Family Dining Room. The Stephen H. Hinchliffe, Sr. Fountain (given by Stanley E. Weston ’55) graces the stairway leading from the glass-covered patio to the quadrangle. The Willsie Family Chandelier (given by Douglas ’63 and Caroline Ault ’64 Willsie) adorns the staircase at the north end of the building. On the ground floor are the Irwin S. Field Student Publications Suite (given by Irwin S. Field), home of the La Encina yearbook and The Occidental Newspaper Office (given by David W. Berkus ’62), and the John T. Knox and Jean Henderson Knox Center for Volunteerism and Community Service Offices (given by John and Jean Knox). In addition, the lower floor houses student government offices including The Studenmund Room (given by Professor Woody and Jaynie Studenmund), the Post Office/Mail Room, Bookstore and the Bengal Room (the student program hall). The east side of the student center features The Rose Hills Plaza in honor of a major contribution from the Rose Hills Foundation which facilitated completion of the building.

The Johnson Student Center and Freeman College Union was dedicated on Founders’ Day, April 14, 1999. The Myron Hunt-designed South Section was erected in 1928.

THE COLLINS HOUSE (housing the Office of Admission) is a building originally designed as a residence for the College President. Through the generosity of the Carl F Braun Trust, this building was remodeled and refurnished in 1957. It was remodeled again in 1997 for use as the Office of Admission. It was renamed the Collins House on September 9, 2002.Erected 1922.

HELEN G. EMMONS MEMORIAL is the gift of G. E. Emmons in memory of his wife. This building is a health center for the treatment of minor illness and injuries and also houses a counseling center.Erected 1936.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, originally an administrative home of contemporary style of architecture. Erected 1951. Renovation 1990.

THE PRESIDENT’S HOUSE, located near the Hillside Theater, is of the California Monterey style of architecture, and was designed by Myron Hunt. Erected 1932; extensive interior and exterior renovation in 1999. 

SAMUELSON PAVILION, thanks to gifts from Jack (’46) and Sally (’48) Samuelson. Designed by Myron Hunt, the building was originally a women’s gymnasium; most recently it was used as studio space for sculpture classes. The renovation design by Brenda Levin provides food service, a lounge, assembly space for student meetings and dances, and an expanded outdoor deck.Erected 1922; enlarged 1994 and 1997.

Intercultural Community Center, located at 1501 Campus Road, the Office of Student Life’s Intercultural Community Center (ICC) serves as a meeting place for students and organizations who value and work towards achieving the goals of multiculturalism on campus.

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

JOHNSON HALL is the gift of Mr. and Mrs. O. T. Johnson, generous benefactors of the College. The interior was remodeled with grants provided by The Ahmanson Foundation and The James Irvine Foundation. In Johnson Hall are Alumni Auditorium seating one hundred and forty-five, classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, and the Language Laboratory.Erected 1914; remodeled 1982.

JAMES SWAN HALL, at the west side of the main quadrangle, built by Mrs. Frances B. Swan as a tribute to her husband, provides seminar rooms and faculty offices. The building served as a men’s residence hall until the early 1960s. Erected 1914.

URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY INSTITUTE (UEPI), originally an administrative home of California Monterey style of architecture, and designed by Myron Hunt, occupies a location adjacent to the Hillside Theater. Erected 1932.

NATURAL SCIENCES

THE BIOSCIENCE BUILDING provides thirteen laboratories for student and faculty research in both biology and biochemistry. Attached to Moore Laboratory of Zoology, the building is connected via a pedestrian bridge to Norris Hall of Chemistry. Also included are a vivarium, herbarium, aquarium, greenhouses, environmental rooms, and darkrooms. Erected 1988.

THE HAMEETMAN SCIENCE CENTER contains the departments of Geology, Physics, and Environmental Programs. This 42,000 square foot facility contains 14 research laboratories, nine teaching laboratories, two seminar rooms, and 14 offices. Designed by Anshen & Allen, Los Angeles, it was conceived to augment the architecturally unique environment on campus. Erected 2003.

THE KENNETH T. NORRIS HALL OF CHEMISTRY, containing THE EARLE M. JORGENSEN LABORATORIES in Chemistry and the SAMUEL B. MOSHER SCIENCE LECTURE HALLS, recognizes the vision and the generosity of these members of the Board of Trustees and their wives and the generosity of the Carl F Braun Trust. This building includes an auditorium seating 225, two lecture rooms, the John Stauffer Research Laboratory and other laboratories and offices for the department of Chemistry. Erected 1960. Renovated 1992.

FOWLER HALL, erected as a memorial to Eldridge M. Fowler of Pasadena by his daughter and granddaughter, provides classrooms, laboratories, computer rooms, and offices for several departments. The Edward Hayes Morse Collection of Astronomical Instruments and the Frank J. Smiley Geological Collection are located in Fowler Hall. Erected 1914; renovated 2004

THE ROBERT T. MOORE LABORATORY OF ZOOLOGY is the gift of Dr. Robert T. Moore and Margaret C. Moore of Borestone Mountain, Monson, Maine, as Trustees of the Orcutt and Margaret Trusts. This building contains the Robert T. Moore Collection of seventy thousand specimens of birds and mammals and has classroom and research facilities. An addition provides a teaching laboratory and facilities for live birds and a sea water system and aquarium room for marine vertebrate zoology. Erected 1951; enlarged 1969.

FINE ARTS

BELLE WILBER THORNE HALL, the college auditorium, was erected by Charles H. Thorne in memory of his wife. In addition to the auditorium, seating eight hundred thirty-five, the building provides a large stage, practice, and rehearsal rooms for choral groups, and other facilities for the Music Department. Erected 1938. With funding from the James Irvine Foundation, the auditorium was completely remodeled in 1989.

THE REMSEN BIRD HILLSIDE THEATER, named by the Board of Trustees in honor of the College’s President from 1921 to 1946, is the gift of the Eagle Rock community, Mr. Alphonzo Bell, ’95, Mr. William Meade Orr, Mrs. Calvin Pardee, and other friends of the College. In the main it is Greek in design, but has a raised stage and a circular orchestra pit approached by a stepped ramp. The theater has a seating capacity of three thousand six hundred fifty, and is noted for its picturesque location and remarkable acoustic properties. Erected 1925.

THE WILLIS H. BOOTH HALL consists of a one-story building, with practice rooms and the Helen and Remsen Bird Studio and a two-level structure providing departmental offices, the Douglas Wright, Jr., Memorial Room (for choral music), the Dorothy Buffum Chandler Instrumental Rehearsal and Music Classroom, teaching studios, music library and listening booths, practice and seminar rooms. Both structures are the gifts of many alumni and friends of the College. Original structure erected 1929; two-level structure addition, 1960. Remodeled in 1988 to include office and classroom space for the Education Department.

THE DRAMA WORKSHOP, a one-story building located on the west side of the Hillside Theater, provides classrooms and workshop areas for the performing arts. Erected 1965.

THE KECK THEATER, named for the late William M. Keck in recognition of the generous gifts from his estate, provides a state-of-the-art, professional quality stage. Used for both Theater Department and Cultural Studies classes, the building is the first in the United States featuring adjustable Lambda platforms allowing various configurations for a total of four hundred twelve seats. Erected 1987.

THE PAMELAM. MULLIN AND PETER W. MULLIN FAMILY STUDIO AND ART GALLERY, named for the lead benefactor and former Chair of the Board of Trustees, Peter W. Mullin, houses a sculpture studio, art gallery, and workshop space for the department of Art History and the Visual Arts. Erected 1997.

WEINGART CENTER FOR THE LIBERAL ARTS, established by a gift from the Weingart Foundation, houses the Core Program and the Department of Art. The Center occupies a building originally erected in 1925 as Bertha Harton Orr Hall, a student residence, 1925-1984. A lounge in the Center is dedicated to the memory of Florence Norma Brady, 1899-1986, Occidental Class of 1919, College Registrar-Emerita and Registrar 1930 to 1966. Remodeled 1986.

ATHLETICS

THE ALUMNI GYMNASIUM, a reinforced concrete structure south of Patterson Stadium, provides a dance studio, classrooms, and offices. It was constructed from gifts by Alumni and the Associated Students. The Roy Dennis Trophy Room was added in 1984. Erected 1926; enlarged 1965.

THE E. S. FIELD MEMORIAL BUILDING surrounds the open-air, steam-heated Taylor Swimming Pool. The pool is the gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. Hartley Taylor and their daughter, Mary Barbara Taylor, ’29, and the Field Building honors Mr. E. S. Field, an early president of the Board of Trustees. Erected 1930.

THE FRANK NEILL RUSH GYMNASIUM, named in honor of a distinguished athlete and alumnus (’09); member of the Board of Trustees, 1926Ð74, and its Chairman 1947-51 and 1956-57; provides a basketball pavilion with a seating capacity of eighteen hundred; and dressing and locker facilities. Erected 1965.

THE BENJAMIN H. CULLEY ATHLETIC FACILITY, named in honor of a former Dean of Men, Dean of Students, Director of Financial Aid, and Professor of Mathematics (1943Ð1982). The facility houses the Sports Medicine Center, a weight room, and locker and equipment rooms. Erected 1984; weight room renovated 2003.

THE W. C. PATTERSON ATHLETIC FIELD, named in honor of a friend and former trustee, with funds provided by Mrs. Patterson. Spectator stands have a seating capacity of two thousand, six hundred. Constructed 1916; stands rebuilt 1982. Field renovated 2001.

THE BILL HENRY TRACK, named in honor of William M. Henry ’14. The all-weather track, on the site of the original built in 1916, was constructed at Patterson Field under the auspices of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, with funds provided by the Atlantic Richfield Company. Constructed 1983. Track renovated 2001.

THE BELL SOFTBALL FIELD. Renovated 2003.

THE BILL ANDERSON BASEBALL FIELD, named in honor of a member of the faculty and Director of Athletics upon his retirement. Established 1955.

THE PAUL SPENCER BASEBALL FIELD HOUSE, a gift of Paul Spencer ’28, located on Anderson Field, provides locker rooms for the baseball team. Erected 1958.

UPPER AND LOWER SOCCER FIELDS, Two playing areas for soccer and other intramural and club sports. Constructed 1987; lower soccer field renovated 2003.

RESIDENCE HALLS*

BELL-YOUNG HALL is named in memory of two families of great significance in the life of the College, recognizes especially James G. Bell, a founder; Alphonzo E. Bell ’95, onetime president of the Board of Trustees and great benefactor; and Dr. and Mrs. William Stewart Young, Dr. Young having been a founder and for fifty years the secretary of the Board of Trustees. This building also honors the members of these two families. It accommodates one hundred and eight. Erected 1956.

BRAUN HALL is named in memory of Carl F Braun, a generous benefactor of the College. This hall, fully air-conditioned, accommodates one hundred and ten. Erected 1962. Renovated 1990, 1997

CHILCOTT HALL is named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Chilcott and the Chilcott family, benefactors of the College. This hall accommodates eighty-one. Erected 1959. Renovated 1996. 

GRACE CARTER ERDMAN HALL was built in memory of the wife of Professor Pardee Erdman. It was made possible in part by gifts from Mrs. Calvin Pardee, Mrs. Charles R. Erdman, Professor Erdman, and friends, and in part by College funds. Erdman Hall accommodates seventy. Erected 1927.

HAINES HALL was built in honor of the Reverend Francis S. Haines and Mrs. Mary Orr Haines, his wife. Originally built to accommodate seventy-three students, this building was enlarged to provide space for thirty-two additional students. Erected 1940; enlarged 1954. Renovated 1991.

ANNA CLUTE NEWCOMB HALL, a residence for one hundred and thirty-four is named in recognition of Mrs. James G. Newcomb, trustee and benefactor, who had great interest in the welfare of students and rendered many services to the College. Erected 1956.

EILEEN NORRIS RESIDENCE HALL accommodates one hundred and fifty-three, with rooms arranged in cluster groups of eight. Named in honor of Mrs. Kenneth T. Norris in recognition of the gifts from her and her husband. Erected 1966. Renovated 1992.

PAULEY HALL is named in memory of Elbert L. and Ellen E. Pauley, in recognition of the gifts of Edwin W. Pauley ’23, and Mrs. Pauley. This hall accommodates one hundred and seven. Erected 1959. Renovated 1993.

STEARNS HALL, a residence for one hundred and twenty-six, is named in honor of three brothers and their families: J.V.M. Stearns ’25, Theodore L. Stearns ’15, and Francis A. Stearns ’15. Erected 1983.

STEWART-CLELAND HALL is named in honor of Milton and Mary W. Stewart, generous benefactors of the College for a long period of years; and Robert Glass Cleland ’07, Ph.D., LL.D., Litt. D., historian, author, Professor of History, former Dean of the Faculty and Vice-President and member of the Board of Trustees; his father, the Reverend Robert W. Cleland; his mother Sallie Glass Cleland; his brother, T. Horace Cleland ’03; and his wife, Muriel Stewart Cleland. This building houses one hundred and forty-two. Erected 1953. Renovated 1999.

HERBERT G. WYLIE HALL is named in honor of a generous patron of the College and a member of the Board of Trustees, provides rooms for fifty-one. Erected 1940. Renovated 1994.

*All Residence Halls had fiber-optics installed in student rooms in 1995-96.

GROUNDS

THE CENTRAL QUADRANGLE was relandscaped in 1937 under a comprehensive plan developed by Mrs. Beatrix Farrand, landscape consultant, and the college architects, with funds provided by Alphonzo E. Bell ’1895. Most recently, in 2000, another significant renovation was accomplished including new concrete, updated lighting, and automated controls for irrigation.

GATES: Two of the entrances to the campus are marked by ornamental gates erected by the following persons:

Westdale Avenue — Mrs. Mary C. Pardee.
Ridgeview Avenue — Walter Van E. Thompson ’96 and Mrs. Thompson.

LUCILLE Y. GILMAN MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN: At the head of Alumni Drive is Water Forms II, a kinetic fountain, designed and built in 1979 by the late George Baker ’58, sculptor and Professor of Art (1964-1997). The fountain is in memory of Mrs. Gilman, first wife of the tenth president of Occidental College.

ALUMNI DRIVE was relandscaped in 1987, including the planting of Eucalyptus maculati and Cinnamomum camphora. The Occidental College sign at the entrance to Alumni Drive was a gift of the Class of 1979.

PARKING STRUCTURE is a three-level structure for 259 automobiles between Newcomb Hall and the Collins House (Office of Admission). Constructed 1985.

PARKING LOT, COONS ROAD for 95 automobiles between the lower soccer field and Keck Theatre. Constructed 2003.