25. Mitchell Towers

Opened in 1966, "Twin" was then a social experiment at Albion. At a time when genders were strictly separated in different dormitories, with no visiting privileges for members of the opposite sex, Twin Towers actually mixed the sexes. One tower was for women and one for men, but they shared a common lounge, which is the building separating the towers. The Towers were deliberately constructed without dining facilities due to their close proximity to newly-renovated Baldwin Hall. (Fennimore, p.636)  The Twin Towers and the six fraternity residences were designed by the architectural firm of Wold and Bowers of Grand Rapids to be compatible with the Greek Revival-style architecture on campus.

Delays in construction of Twin Towers and the 6 fraternity houses just southwest of the complex resulted in every Albion student receiving a postcard late in the summer of 1966 announcing a delay of nearly 3 weeks in the start of classes for the coming fall.  The Towers and the Fraternity Residences were all dedicated on October 22, 1966.

Our city friends, used to large buildings, often look at Twin Towers and wonder aloud, "Where are the towers?"

In 2007 Twin was renamed Mitchell Towers after President and Mrs. Peter T. Mitchell.

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