Henry G. Bennett, the new president of Oklahoma A and M, releases a master plan to create 25 new buildings that will promote architectural uniformity. Newspapers label it an “Architect’s Utopian Dream.” Bennett calls it the “25-year plan.”
September 1934
Murray available for occupancy. Opens at the initial cost of $388,533 with a gross building area of 102,155 square feet.
1936
The Oklahoma A & M College yearbook, The Redskin, shows that Murray houses more than 150 females describing them as “a rare combination of beauty and efficiency.” The hall is deemed the “largest residence hall in the U.S.”
December 1941
During World War II, Murray is turned over to the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Navy leases Cordell, Willard and North Murray halls for housing radar trainees and members of the Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES).
By the 1950s, despite local resident’s protests, a series of residence halls are built on the Stillwater campus. Murray – the prototype – celebrates its glory days. For 18- to 22-year olds, it is a popular spot to socialize.
Popularity of older residence halls starts declining. Murray remains a women’s dorm.
September 1972
Murray and North Murray halls are discontinued from housing use.
August 1975
Murray reopens because of increased need for single-student housing.
May 1984
Murray is removed from housing use and serves as other space needs for the campus.
Murray’s grandeur declines. Water seeps in. Entrances crumble. President Bennett's utopian dream disappears.
September 2005
A statewide bond issue and the university provide money for the Murray Hall renovation, totaling about $16 million. Mathematics Learning Resource Center becomes the last office to occupy Murray.
June 2007 to September 2007
Bid and award process takes place. The project team includes PSA-Dewberry and Phillips & Bacon with Greg Markert as project manager.
The renovation brings together six of the 24 departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. Peter M.A. Sherwood, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Tom Wikle, associate dean for academic programs, represent the College of Arts and Sciences in the project.
September 2006 to June 2007
Design begins.
September 2007
Construction begins.
November 14, 2007
Groundbreaking ceremony takes place at 11 a.m.
June 2009
Murray Hall to reopen at an initial cost of $10,800,000 with a gross building area of 96,946 square feet.
The historical building houses the offices of six departments in the College of Arts and Sciences: Communication Sciences and Disorders headed by Randolph Deal; Geography by Dale Lightfoot; History by Elizabeth Williams; Philosophy by Doren Recker; Political Sciences by James Scott; and Sociology Patricia Bell.
The utopian dream returns. |
