Professors Share Memories; Look Forward to New Building

By Nathan Clark

Four decades of lost students and thought-provoking discussions will be celebrated the week of Nov. 5-9 as the Social Science Building celebrates its 40th anniversary.

The highlights of the week will be a lecture from famed Civil War historian Brooks Donohue Simpson, an open house of the Social Science Building, and a faculty, staff, student and alumni reunion.

Simpson's lecture, “The Civil War: Reflections at the Sesquicentennial,” will be open to the public and take place at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 in WSU's Elizabeth Hall 229. 

For information on the open house and reunion, read our recap of events.

Since the current building’s historic dedication on Nov. 5, 1973, three faculty members, Rosemary Conover, T.R. Reddy and Richard Sadler, have continued to teach generations of students in their respective disciplines.

Conover, an anthropology professor, came to Weber State College in 1970. She can recall faculty life in small houses and walking across campus for copies during the Social Science Building’s construction.

“The completion was a wonderful change,” she said. “It increased the profile of our department, strengthened the anthropology program, and me.”

The possibility of a new Social Science Building brings the same sense of anticipation.

“Dreams for a new building are high,” said Reddy, a political science professor and the most senior faculty in the college. Reddy hopes for the addition of new technology and more student-oriented facilities.

Sadler served as dean of the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences for 26 years, and is currently a WSU history professor. “We need classrooms that will accommodate varied learning styles – not boxes – and faculty need to have good offices,” he said.

Sadler then chuckled and added, “We also need a numbering system that works.”

Celebrations will kick off a campaign to raise private funds to name a new Social Science Building. The college also hopes to upgrade labs and classrooms, increase scholarships, and provide more opportunities for internships, research and academic programs.

With more than 26,000 students attending Weber State University, there is a great need to support students’ educational dreams. Donations are tax-exempt and can be made online at weber.edu/give, or you can contact the development office at 801-626-6194.

For more information about the Social Science Building, see our SBB factsheet.