The Lokey Education Building: A History of Teacher Training at the University of Oregon
The Lokey Education Building at the University of Oregon stands as a testament to the institution's long-standing commitment to teacher education. Its history is one of evolution, adaptation, and growth, reflecting changing pedagogical approaches and the ever-increasing need for well-trained educators. This article delves into the history of the Lokey Education Building, tracing its origins, expansions, and the key figures who shaped its development.
Early Years and Origins
The story begins in 1916 with the construction of the original Education Building, designed by Ellis F. Lawrence. However, this building was soon deemed insufficient to meet the growing needs of the School of Education.
The 1921 Education Building
In 1921, a new Education Building, designed by Lawrence & Holford, was constructed to replace the original 1916 structure (later known as Peterson Hall) as the primary home for the School of Education. Construction ended in April 1921. At the same time, University High School, a lab school for educating teachers, relocated from the 1916 Education Building to its new structure. In 1953, the School of Education took over the University High School building for classroom use.
The Education Annex: A Supporting Structure
The Education Annex, also known as the "Little Red Schoolhouse" for its bright red coloring, is a small wooden building with its own unique history. Originally located behind Johnson Hall and known as the Gift Campaign Building, it housed the University of Oregon's primary funding organization for campus buildings. Designed by Ellis F. Lawrence, designs were completed by October 1922, and construction concluded in 1923. The Alumni organization moved out of the building in 1932, and it subsequently served other functions, including dance studios. In the 1950s, the structure was moved behind the Education Building, and in 1979, it was relocated to its present location.
The 1980 Education Addition
In 1980, a significant addition to the Education Building was completed. Known as the Education Addition (South Building), it included a courtyard and covered walkway. This project, designed by Martin Soderstrom Matteson and built by John T. Moody & Sons, was notable for being the first on campus to utilize the 'pattern language' approach to design, as developed by Christopher Alexander in his books "The Oregon Experiment" (1975), "A Pattern Language" (1977), and "The Timeless Way of Building" (1979). The building incorporated a commons and scholars' walk, elements traditional in academic buildings. Will Martin, a UO graduate, served as the principal architect and was also responsible for the design of Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square, which opened in 1984.
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Lorry I. Lokey's Transformative Gift
A pivotal moment in the history of the Education Building came with the generous support of Lorry I. Lokey. Lokey, the founder and chairman of Business Wire, attributed his success to his elementary school teachers and demonstrated his commitment to education through significant donations to the University of Oregon.
In March 2006, Lokey pledged $10 million to the University of Oregon College of Education for its new building project. He then increased his pledge with a $2.5 million challenge gift, promising to match that amount if the college could raise it from other donors by June 30, 2007. This brought his total gift to $12.5 million.
Lokey's gift, combined with matching funds from other donors, completed the financing for the $48 million project. Michael Bullis, the interim dean of the College of Education, expressed immense gratitude for Lokey's generosity, stating that the donation would allow them to move forward with construction in the summer of 2007 and have the new complex ready for the 2009-2010 school year.
The new College of Education complex included 100,000 square feet of new teaching and research space in the HEDCO Education Building, constructed near the existing college site, as well as renovations to existing space. The HEDCO building was named for the HEDCO Foundation, a California-based organization headed by College of Education alumna Dody Jernstedt, which contributed $10 million to the project in 2004.
The complex featured specialized teaching spaces for math, science, and language methods, a teaching practice studio, an instructional design studio, and a curriculum resource library. It also included integrated clinic facilities for the college's three clinical programs: communication disorders and sciences, marriage and family therapy, and counseling psychology.
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The new complex enabled the College of Education to better serve its more than 1,500 students, an enrollment that had tripled in the past decade. It also brought together a faculty that had been scattered among old university buildings, old houses, trailers, and rented space around Eugene.
The Lokey Science Complex
Beyond the Education Building, Lorry I. Lokey's impact on the University of Oregon is also evident in the Lokey Science Complex. The seven gargoyles sprinkled around the building are also worth taking a look at. The heads of Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Sir Issac Newton, Maxwell & his Demon, Thomas Condon, Alan Turing and John von Neumann decorate the façades of the Lokey Science Complex.
Architectural Significance and Campus Planning
The University of Oregon's real estate, including the Lokey Education Building, reflects a variety of architectural styles and eras. Ellis F. Lawrence, who joined the university in 1914 as campus planner and later founded the School of Architecture, played a significant role in shaping the campus. As chief architect of the university, Lawrence held a commission to design all buildings on campus as long as he remained in charge of the School of Architecture, a position he held until his death in 1946.
The university continues to prioritize campus planning, following the principles of "The Oregon Experiment."
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