WC MEMORIES
PATTERSON HALL 1966
P
atterson Hall went more than 20 years without the
the auditorium the Will Orr Auditorium in honor of the
name of Westminster’s first president attached
Westminster’s first president emeritus.
to it. The Arts and Science Building, completed in
1966 as a multi-purpose academic building, was renamed in 1989 in honor of James Patterson, Westminster President from 1853-1866. In 1958, the Board of Trustees approved the plans to build the new structure, which cost $1,600,000 to construct. In 1961, the building was dedicated. The music department section was occupied January 1961. On June 1, 1964, the Board approved additional construction to include an auditorium to seat 1,750; a classroom wing for political science, sociology, religion, history, philosophy, classics, art department and gallery; and the 300-seat Beeghly Theater, named for Leon Beeghly, a Youngstown industrialist and contributor. The new Beeghly Theater opened Oct. 27-29, 1966, with Macbeth, starring Joy Tobin and James Elder and featuring a cast of 35. The building addition also featured a storage area for library collections of scores and records in the music library. In June 1967, the Board renamed
4 8 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
In 2003 and 2004, there were major renovations to Orr auditorium and Patterson Hall for $1.7 million received from a state grant. The renovation included air conditioning, new seats, carpeting, lighting, new dressing rooms, first floor women’s rest room, handicap accessibility features, and a loading elevator from the outside to the stage. Patterson underwent a $5 million renovation in 2012 under the tenure of President Dr. Richard H. Dorman, Westminster’s 14th President. Today the facility, with modern furnishing and decor, is fit for teaching and learning in the 21st century and is equipped with smart classrooms and more collaborative learning spaces. ~ Compiled by Dorothy Pollock ’46
Patterson
