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Virtual Historical Tour 30. Science Complex
Norris Center is named for former president, Dr. Louis W. Norris, who guided Albion through one of its greatest periods of expansion and revitalization. Three years after Dr. Norris took office, the College launched an institutional expansion program called the "Action Program for Excellence" (APEX). Under his guidance, the College revised its curriculum, increased requirements for faculty and students, and still increased enrollment by more than 30%. The number of major buildings on campus also doubled. The 13 buildings constructed during his tenure included Putnam, Palenske, and the Commons Building (not then called "Norris") of the Science Complex, the Visual Arts Building (not yet "Bobbitt"), Gerstacker International House, 6 fraternity residences, Whitehouse Hall, the Twin Towers, and the expansion of Baldwin Hall Alumni Center. There was also extensive refurbishing of several of the older structures on campus at this time. Norris Center contains Albion's largest lecture hall, (formerly Norris 101, now Towsley Lecture Hall) other than Goodrich Chapel, which is used for academic lectures, cultural convocations and Union Board movies. It is the unifying component of the complex, with classrooms, auditoriums and exhibits. Click on thumbnails for larger view
Fred C. Palenske Hall is named for industrialist, Fred Palenske, founder of the Industrial Rubber Goods Company in 1920. Palenske was born in Alma, Kansas, and at the age of 17 went to work in a Kansas City bank. In 1917 he ended up in St. Joseph, MI, serving as office manager and bookkeeper for the Palmer Rubber Company. The same year he married Maud Preston. When he began Industrial Rubber Goods, the company put a rubber covering on a malleable iron bracket to hold down the collapsible roofs of touring sedans. In 1959, Mrs. Palenske passed away. When Mr. Palenske sold his business in 1961, he made "anonymous" contributions of approximately $5,000 to nearly every private college in Michigan. His lawyer sent the checks. Albion was the only college that sent a "thank-you" letter, signed by Dr. Norris and addressed to the lawyer, which later yielded the gift to help complete the Science Complex. Palenske had never visited Albion College until the dedication of Palenske Hall. Reflecting his concern for excellence when making his gift, Mr. Palenske said, " I feel strongly that young people should be exposed to the importance of seeing high standards; they will then experience the feel satisfaction of living up to these standards. The reputation of Albion College and its concern for striving toward excellence marks Albion as one of the leading liberal arts colleges in America and worthy of continuing support." The little white building on the roof of the building houses a 14" telescope donated by a Chicago patent lawyer, Bill Stellman. The Stellman telescope uses a Daystar filter donated by Marvin Vann, Class of 1940. Ironically, the name "Stellman" means "starman." Click on thumbnails for larger view
Mark E. Putnam Hall is named for Mark Putnam, who was the executive vice president of the Dow Chemical Company and a member of the Albion College Board of Trustees at the time of his death in 1960. His wife, son and daughter all graduated from Albion and contributed toward construction of the chemistry building. A grandson and two granddaughters also attended Albion. Putnam Hall houses the Chemistry Department and related studies. This building can be identified by the vent stacks on the roof. (Fennimore, pp.638-39) Click on thumbnails for larger view
Click on thumbnails for larger view
The College's current capital campaign is geared towards renovating Palenske and Putnam Halls and Norris Center; constructing Kresge Hall, a new 4-story laboratory building; constructing a 7000-square foot atrium, greenhouse, and 53-foot tall clock tower; and bringing together all 5 science departments into a single complex, as was originally intended when the Science Complex project was originally begun in the 1960s. Click on thumbnails for larger view
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Albion College ◦ Albion, Michigan ◦ 517/629-10000
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Student
enrollment in the natural sciences had long surpassed the outmoded and
outgrown facilities of the 1893 McMillan Laboratory for chemistry and
1916 Epworth Building for physics; and it was determined that it was
time for a new complex in the 1960s. After generous donations by the
Palenske and Putnam families and the momentum of President Norris'
building program, the groundbreaking ceremony for the complex was held
on October 20, 1967. Participating in the design of the Science Center
were the architects, Wold and Bowers of Grand Rapids, a faculty
committee on planning, and administrative officers. It was not until
April 23, 1970, however, that the complex was complete and dedicated,
due to a strike of unionized carpenters. (Fennimore, p.637)
