Olin Hall

Olin Hall (built 1975)

Originally submitted by: Larissa Wurm, Drake University, Nov 29, 2010

The Opening of Olin Hall

Olin Hall held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 9th, 1975. The Olin Foundation, Inc. of New York City donated $3,263,000 to Drake University to build a new biological sciences building, along with another $281,620 to purchase and install equipment for the building. This donation was the largest single grant in the history of the university[1][2].

Dr. Charles Lilley Horn (Olin Foundation President) and Dr. Wilbur C. Miller (University President) made the announcement of the grant May 20, 1973, Dr. Horn saying “I have known Drake and some of its people from my early days in Iowa. In addition, the Foundation has admired the University’s ability to maintain a position of educational leadership in a time of adverse condition for higher education. We are extremely pleased to present this building to Drake University”[2].

Dr. Miller, in response to the grant, said “We are deeply grateful to the Olin Foundation for enabling Drake to achieve this step in the development of its science complex. Drake continues to offer outstanding programs in biology and pre-medicine. The facilities needed to support these programs have long been outgrown" [2].