Birth of Joslyn Hall

From the February 1986 issue of the UNO Today

 

Dear Dr. Jenkins,

Since it is the desire of the University of Omaha to erect a general utility building, one that shall cost not less than $50,000, to help along the cause and make it a success it is hereby understood and agreed that I will contribute $25,000 of this sum on condition that the other $25,000 shall be raised from other contributors within a period of one year from this date.

 

I further agree to pay said contribution toward this fund if the other $25,000 has been pledged as soon as the contract for construction of said building has been let.

 

Yours very truly,

George A. Joslyn

 

Dr. Daniel E. Jenkins, president of the university at that time, knew that the project could easily fail. Less than 10 years had elapsed since 1909 when Joslyn offered to donate $50,000 toward the construction of a new science building if the University could raise $150,000 by the following June. The campaign fell short despite the initial optimism of the Trustees.

 

Hopefully, the outcome would be different this time. Upon publishing the above letter in the Gateway student newspaper, Jenkins noted that Joslyn made the offer in the belief that the new building "will not only greatly facilitate and enhance our educational work, but that it will bring added prestige to the University."

 

It took less than 12 months to match the funds, design, let out bids and build the 30-classroom, three-story basement building that was the second structure at the 24th and Pratt Street campus.

 

In December of the same year, students moved the class supplies from nearby Redick Hall into Joslyn Hall in order to open the new building for classes after the holidays. Redick Hall was torn down and moved to Minnesota where it was rebuilt to become a resort hotel. Before Joslyn Hal was officially opened and dedicated, the October 25, 1916, issue of Gateway, announced the death of the University's benefactor, George Joslyn. In the article, Jenkins also asked the readers to take note of and patronize the home industry advertisements of those local businesses that had built Joslyn Hall. Some of the familiar Omaha names were Peter Kiewit Son's contractors, Alfred Bloom Co. Millwork and Chicago Lumber Co.

 

In a later story headlined, "Joslyn Hall Nearing Completion," Jenkins stated that a survey of the plumbing work "will satisfy the observer that a first class job is being done." He went on to describe the new locker rooms, classrooms and "sanitary drinking foundation on each floor."

 

The following month, Jenkins made a plea in the Gateway for funds to furnish the new building. He said that the hoped "friends of the University will take new courage and do all they can." He said that $5,000 in additional funds was needed. Two thousands dollars was needed immediately for "chemistry lab and lecture room desks and hoods for the escape of poisonous gases."

 

The 1917 Gateway yearbook was dedicated to George A. Joslyn. He was honored posthumously for his "kindly interest and generous help in the establishment at the University, as manifested continuously and in increasing measure from its beginning, and especially for the munificence which made possible the erection of Joslyn Hall."