Workers broke ground this week for the College's new dorm, located on High Street between the art building and the fraternity quadrangle. The contract was signed on June 15th, and work was expected to be done by of 1973. The dorm was to be two stories high, which was at that time a new concept of college living, and comprised of twelve suites. This dorm eventually became the McKenney Suites
The libraries of the Belles Lettres and Union Philosophical Literary Societies received several fine new chairs due to the efforts of President George Edward Reed. The halls were excellently furnished, as well as spacious and pleasing.
The recently remodeled former Parker House was 0pened as the Freshman Annex, a dormitory for freshman women across the street from Metzger Hall, at the beginning of the 1942-1943 academic year.
College-owned land next to Route 11 was cleaned up in an effort to clear the LeTort marshland of an immense quantity of junk dumped in the vicinity by the college. Efforts were made only after several complaints were made to the College. The area was cleaned up, and the college pledged to refrain from dumping in this area. Further suggestions were also made to increase the sustainability of the campus.
Over the summer, much needed upgrades were made in Morgan Hall. Carpets, acoustical tile ceilings, water fountains, bathroom tile, a new lighting system, and new paint were just a few of the improvements made.
The Department of Safety and Security (DSS) installed three permanent emergency telephones around campus. Each phone connected directly to the DSS office, which automatically sent an officer to the location when a call was received.
On October 23, 1940, senior women students finished moving into the newly-acquired and newly-renovated Hays House, located across the street from Metzger Hall on the southwest corner of Hanover and East Penn streets. The house could accommodate twenty residents.
WDCV, the College's student radio station, began broadcasting in a new studio built next to the dance studio in the lower level of the Holland Union Building (HUB). The original station space was renovated to create the campus convenience store.
The Bernard Center for the Humanities, the reconstruction of East College, was formally dedicated on Saturday, April 24. The dedication ceremony began in the Social Hall, from which a full faculty procession led the group to the Bernard Center, where the dedication took place. Principal donors Dr. and Mrs. B. A. Bernard were present at the ceremony.
The Bookstore opened a convenience store in the Holland Union Building basement, which was open from 7 A.M. to 2 A.M. seven days a week. The store, which opened without an official name, was called "Dickinsheetz" by many students, in reference to the popular Pennsylvania convenience store chain.
The Bernard Center, which housed the Classics, Religion, Philosophy, and English departments, was renamed East College, which was the building's original name when construction began in 1836.
An accidental fire erupted in a room on the first floor of Quad 2. No one was injured, but several students report damage to their possessions. After cleanup and damage assessment, some students were allowed to move back into the building; others were moved to temporary housing elsewhere while repairs were made.
The Holland Union Building (HUB) Dining Hall, renovated over the 1991-92 winter break, was used by students for the first time. Reactions are mixed - Nick Stamos, Director of Dining Services, claimed that "things are going smoothly," but one student noted that the new space "looks like a combination of a factory and an Arby's."
George Allan, Dean of the College, announced his plan to give each of the Quads an official name. Since their construction in 1962, the Quads were named after the fraternities residing in them or assigned numbers between 1 and 10. Dean Allan's plan involved naming the buildings after famous people from Dickinson's history.
The College announced plans to renovate the food service stations in the Holland Union Building (HUB) Dining Hall to create multiple areas rather than a single line for all types of food. Renovations were scheduled for the 1991-92 winter break.
The Board of Trustees authorized officers of the College to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for funds to erect a new dormitory to house 96 students.
The executive committee of the board of trustees authorized the purchase of the Mooreland Estate for $55,000. Having planned to make this purchase, they had already raised $30,000 in pledges from alumni.
The Phi Delta Theta fraternity inaugurated its new chapter house on Friday, November 6th, with a ceremony in which the fraternity alumni handed over the key to the new building to the active chapter.
Professor William Landis '91, Dean Hoffman '02, J. Freed Martin '12, and George B.
Stuart Hall and James Hall, new additions to the Rector Science Complex, were dedicated. The event featured science demonstrations by students and faculty.
A statue of Benjamin Rush, situated on the John Dickinson campus, was unveiled by its principle donors: Allen E. Beach '55, Trustee Walter E. Beach '56, and Trustee Sherwood D. Goldberg, Esq. '63. Trustee Beach and U.S. Rep. Todd R. Platts spoke at the ceremony.
On Friday, October 14th, 1983, the Permanent Fine Arts Collection was dedicated and opened in the lower level of the Trout Gallery. The ceremony featured performances by the Music Department.
On Sunday, June 5th, 1921, Memorial Hall was dedicated to the Dickinson alumni who served in the First World War. The highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of a plaque featuring the names of all those who gave their lives in the war. The ceremony also featured several scripture readings and an address from Ernest G. Richardson, LL.D., '96, Bishop of the Atlanta Area of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
On Saturday, October 24th, 1970, the newly-renovated Durbin Oratory was rededicated as an interfaith chapel. The ceremony showcased the chapel's nondenominational capabilities as well as its adaptability to specific religious traditions.
On Tuesday, February 23rd, 1954, the Durbin Oratory was dedicated as a place of prayer in West College. Bishop W. Earl Ledden performed the dedication and blessed the gifts to the oratory, which included furniture, religious items, and an organ.