The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Wil Lou Gray Admissions

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Wil Lou Gray Admissions, Columbia College (SC)

Institution Name: Columbia College (SC)
Original/Historic Place Name: Gray Memorial Infirmary
Location on Campus: southeast campus quadrant
Date(s) of Construction:

1949	original construction

Designer: unknown
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Colonial revival (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, education
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: brick

Walls: brick

Roof: asphalt shingles

Function:

1949-present (2006)	infirmary
1978-present (2006)	administration (Dean of student life and support staff, Director of Career Planning, Placement and Counselling, and Coordinator of Resident Life)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	admissions office

Narrative:
Originally the Gray Memorial Infirmary, this building was funded by Dr. Wil Lou Gray and completed in 1949 as a memorial to her parents, William and Sarah Gray. In 1978 the name was changed to the Gray Student Services Center to more nearly reflect its purposes. In addition to the infirmary, the building was renovated to house the Dean of Student Life and support staff and also the office of Director of Career Planning, Placement and Counseling and the Coordinator of Resident Life. In recent years the building has been renovated and enlarged to house the admissions office and the name changed to Wil Lou Gray.

Dr. Wil Lou Gray, who graduated in 1903, was nationally and internationally recognized as a pioneer in adult education. She promoted adult literacy throughout her life and founded the South Carolina Opportunity Schools that provided educational opportunities for entire families. She received numerous national and state awards for her many accomplishments in adult education.

References:

Savory, Jerold. Columbia College: The Ariail Era. Columbia, SC: R. L. Bryan, 1979.