A History of Moore Hall and UCLA: From Humble Beginnings to Academic Excellence
UCLA, a renowned public university, owes its existence to the vision and contributions of numerous individuals. From its early days as a branch of UC Berkeley to its rise as a leading research institution, UCLA's history is intertwined with the stories of dedicated educators, generous philanthropists, and ambitious students. This article explores the history of Moore Hall and UCLA, highlighting key milestones and figures that have shaped the university's identity.
The Early Years: Establishing a Southern Branch
The story of UCLA begins with the recognition of a need for more trained teachers in Southern California. In 1881, Governor George C. Pardee signed legislation establishing the Branch State Normal School of California in Los Angeles. The school opened in 1882 and quickly became an integral part of the Los Angeles community.
As the population of Los Angeles grew, so did the demand for higher education. Edward A. Dickson, a strong advocate for education in the Southland, recognized the need for a local university. He worked tirelessly to convince the Berkeley-based University of California to expand its offerings to Southern California. Despite initial resistance from some who were protective of Berkeley's resources and reputation, Dickson and other supporters persisted.
In 1917, Regent Dickson managed to persuade UC President Benjamin Ide Wheeler to agree to the expansion plan. The legislative bill that officially created the Southern Branch of the University of California was signed into law on March 23, 1919, by Governor William D. Stephens. The Southern Branch officially opened on September 15, 1919, under the direction of Ernest Carroll Moore, a scholar, teacher, and philosopher.
Moore played a pivotal role in shaping the early identity of UCLA. He instilled a sense of community and purpose among the students and faculty. In February 1920, the Alumni Association was formed, further solidifying the university's growing sense of identity.
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The Move to Westwood: A New Campus
As UCLA grew, it outgrew its original 25-acre campus on Vermont Avenue. A new location was needed to accommodate the expanding student body and academic programs. The Janss Investment Company offered the university over 300 acres of land in Westwood, which was then donated to the state. The new Westwood campus was dedicated by the UC Regents in March 1930. The dedication ceremony lasted two days and was attended by more than 5,000 students, alumni, and guests, including representatives from 160 colleges across America and several from abroad.
Among the first buildings constructed on the new campus were Moore Hall and Kerckhoff Hall. Moore Hall, originally called the Education Building, was named in honor of Ernest Carroll Moore, the first provost of UCLA. Kerckhoff Hall, with its distinctive Gothic spires, was built by Alison & Alison for Louise Kerckhoff in honor of her late husband, William G. Kerckhoff. She donated $815,000 for a student union building, making hers the largest gift by an individual to UCLA at that time. The student union was dedicated in a grand ceremony in January 1931, with thousands of students and alumni gathered to celebrate.
The architectural style of the early buildings, including Moore Hall, Powell Library, and Haines Hall, was Northern Italian Romanesque, designed by architect George W. Kelham. These buildings, with their round arches and decorative arcades, established a distinct aesthetic for the UCLA campus.
Challenges and Triumphs: The 1930s and 1940s
The 1930s were a time of both challenges and triumphs for UCLA. As the campus was being prepared for its new students, America and the world were heading for the Great Depression and into a second world war. Yet, even in the face of uncertainty Bruins, and Angelenos, pressed forward working to make the world a better place, even when they disagreed on how this should happen.
Despite the economic hardships of the Great Depression, UCLA continued to grow and develop. In 1933, a Master of Arts degree was approved, and Helen Bender received the first master’s degree in 1934. In 1935, the College of Commerce, now the Anderson School of Management, was formed. In 1938, Kenneth P. Bailey became UCLA’s first graduating doctoral candidate and triple degree holder.
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UCLA also made strides in athletics during this era. In 1939, UCLA had its first undefeated football season. Superstar athletes Jackie Robinson, Kenny Washington, and Woody Strode played for UCLA, along with teammate Ray Bartlett. With four black students on the roster, at a time when only a few African American students played college football, UCLA’s was the most integrated team in the league.
The 1940s brought new challenges as the United States entered World War II. Many students and faculty members left UCLA to serve in the military. Despite the disruptions caused by the war, UCLA continued to provide educational opportunities for its students.
Post-War Expansion and Growth: The Rise of a Research University
After World War II, UCLA experienced a period of rapid expansion and growth. The university added new academic programs, including professional schools such as the School of Medicine and the School of Engineering. UCLA also became a major center for research, attracting renowned scholars and scientists from around the world.
Several key figures played a role in UCLA's post-war development. Llewellyn M.K. Boelter organized and led UCLA’s College of Engineering from 1944 until his retirement in 1965. Franklin D. Murphy, who became UCLA’s chancellor in 1960, oversaw the transition of the College of Applied Arts into the College of Fine Arts and the establishment of the schools of library science and architecture and urban planning.
The growth of UCLA's physical campus also continued after the war. New buildings were constructed to accommodate the expanding student body and academic programs.
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Notable Figures: Shaping UCLA's Legacy
Throughout its history, UCLA has been shaped by the contributions of numerous individuals who have left a lasting legacy on the university. These individuals include:
- William Coit Ackerman: Coached the tennis team from 1920 to 1950, winning 10 Pacific Coast Conference titles and an NCAA championship.
- Arthur Ashe: A tennis champion and activist who graduated in 1966.
- Tom Bradley: UCLA alumnus and Los Angeles' first African-American mayor.
- Ralph Bunche: A distinguished alumnus who played varsity basketball, competed in track and field, wrote for the Daily Bruin, took part in debate and graduated summa cum laude. He later served in the United Nations and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in Palestine.
- Lily Bess Campbell: A scholar of Renaissance and Shakespearean literature who taught at UCLA from 1922 to 1950.
- William Andrews Clark Jr.: Donated his extensive collection of rare books and manuscripts to UCLA, forming the basis of the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library.
- Marion Davies: An actress who donated $1.9 million in 1952 for the construction of the children’s center that bears her name.
- Leslie Gonda: A Holocaust survivor and philanthropist who, along with his wife Susan, has supported numerous programs at UCLA.
- Mira Hershey: A philanthropist whose support made the building of the first campus dormitory possible.
- Glorya Kaufman: A generous patron of the arts who has supported dance programs at UCLA.
- William G. Kerckhoff: A successful businessman who, along with his wife Louise, donated funds for the construction of Kerckhoff Hall.
- Vern Oliver Knudsen: Served as professor, department chair, dean of graduate studies, vice chancellor and, eventually, chancellor of UCLA.
- Lester Korn: A founder of Korn/Ferry International and a generous supporter of UCLA.
- Morton La Kretz: Founded Crossroads Management and has supported various programs at UCLA.
- James E. Lu Valle: A student-athlete who won a bronze medal in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
- Kenneth Macgowan: The first chairman of the UCLA Theater Arts Department.
- William Melnitz: A professor of Germanic languages who joined the UCLA faculty after earning his degrees at the university.
- Ernest Carroll Moore: The first provost of UCLA, who played a key role in shaping the university's early identity.
- Peter Morton: The owner of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and a supporter of UCLA.
- Morris "Mo" and Evelyn Ostin: Generous supporters of UCLA and the arts, athletics, medicine and education.
- Harvey S. Perloff: Served as dean of the UCLA Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning from 1968-1983.
- Lawrence Clark Powell: Served as UCLA’s second university librarian from 1944 to 1961.
- Clarence C. Reed: A Southern California physician whose gift of land, plus a matching grant of $1.37 million from the National Institutes of Health, provided construction funding for the center.
- Charles Henry Rieber: Became professor of philosophy and dean of the new Southern Branch of the university at Los Angeles in 1922.
- Franklin Prescott Rolfe: Held a number of administrative positions at UCLA.
- Josiah Royce: Graduated from UC Berkeley (known then as the University of California) with a B.A. in classics and returned to his alma mater in 1878 to teach composition and literature.
- David S. Saxon: Taught physics at UCLA, served as dean of physical sciences and later was appointed executive vice chancellor and provost of UCLA.
- Arnold Schoenberg: A famed composer who was a member of the UCLA music faculty from 1936-1944.
- Terry Semel: Has been a powerhouse in the business world, working for Yahoo! as chairman and CEO for six years and for Warner Bros. for 24 years.
- Louis Byrne Slichter: Served as professor of geophysics and as founding director of UCLA’s Institute of Geophysics from 1947 to 1962.
- Robert Gordon Sproul: Was president of the University of California from 1930 to 1958.
- Peter V. Ueberroth: Served as president of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee and then as Major League Baseball commissioner until 1989.
- James Everett West: Attended UCLA in the 1940s.
- John Wooden: The legendary basketball coach who led UCLA to 10 national championships.
- William Gould Young: Joined the Department of Chemistry at UCLA as an instructor in 1930.
- Charles E. Young: Served as UCLA’s chancellor from 1968 to 1997.
Building Names: Honoring Donors and Leaders
Many of the buildings on UCLA's campus are named after major donors and leaders who have made significant contributions to the university. These names serve as a reminder of the generosity and dedication that have helped UCLA become the institution it is today.
- The David Geffen School of Medicine: Named after David Geffen, who donated $200 million to UCLA's school of medicine in 2002.
- The UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center: Named after Meyer and Renee Luskin, who donated $100 million to UCLA in 2011.
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Center: Named after Eli and Edythe Broad, who donated $20 million to create the art center in 2000.
- Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion: Named after Edwin W. Pauley.
Traditions and Identity: The Bruin Spirit
UCLA has a rich tradition and a strong sense of identity, embodied in the "Bruin Spirit." The university's colors, blue and gold, and its mascot, the Bruin bear, are symbols of pride and unity for students, alumni, and faculty.
The Bruin nickname was adopted in 1924, replacing the previous nickname, "Grizzlies." The Victory Bell, a 300-pound bell that was rung after UCLA scored at games, was gifted to the student body by the Alumni Association in 1939.
UCLA's motto, "Fiat Lux," which means "Let there be light," reflects the university's commitment to knowledge, discovery, and service.
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