University of Illinois: Campus Tours
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - by
Kalev
Leetaru
 In the fall of 1947, the Department of Electrical Engineering desperately needed additional classroom space, and so, for lack of better facilities, it was decided that a small portion of the new Electrical Engineering Building, which was still very much under construction, would be allowed to play host to a few classes. The ongoing construction meant no electricity, lighting, or heat could be provided to the classroom, leaving students to illuminate their classroom on their own accord. The first class to enter the building met just before daybreak on the first day of class, assembling outside the southeast entrance to the building. Finally, "when the time came, [they] entered the building en masse [sic] carrying lighted lanterns and flashlights and flickering candles. Some wore miner's lamps on their heads." Leading them with a miner's cap prominently on his head was William Everitt, the building's later namesake and the Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering. He gave a short speech and then "declared the new EE building open". Electrical innovation was still considered wizardry in the 1940's and 50's, and so an open house was scheduled two years later on May 15, 1949 and open to the public. Among another exhibitions, a radar installation and a "bucking-bronco motor" were demonstrated. The building was finally dedicated 4 days later, on May 19, 1949. The building was renamed in 1988 in honor of Dean William Everitt, who served as Dean of Engineering from 1949 to 1968.
| |||||||||||||||||||
