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Building Name
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Mark Jefferson Science Building
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Description
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EMU's continued growth during the 1960s drove building projects under Presidents Elliott and Sponberg. In 1967, Sponberg arranged for the construction of a new science building. An appropriation from the state legislature provided the funds for the $8.25 million building. The new building contained 180,000 square feet of space divided among five stories plus a "penthouse" and basement. It was constructed of poured-in-place concrete with exterior walls of brick with stone trim. Inside, Mark Jefferson was fully air-conditioned, and the main floor contained four lecture halls and six large classrooms. Other floors had modern laboratories and facilities for research as well as faculty offices, reading rooms, and on the third floor, a museum. When it was built, the Mark Jefferson Science Building was intended to provide space for crowded departments. Initially, the building would house the Departments of Chemistry, Biology and Psychology. As more new buildings were completed, the Psychology Department would move to new quarters, leaving space that the Biology and Chemistry departments could use as they grew.
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Namesake Biography
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Mark S.W. Jefferson, 1863-1949, was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, March 1, 1863, to Daniel and Mary (Mantz) Jefferson. In September of 1880 he entered Boston University. After graduation Jefferson spent five years in Argentina as an astronomer. Upon return from South America, Jefferson continued his studies at Harvard University, receiving his A.B. in 1897, and A.M. in 1898. By 1901, Jefferson had enthusiastically received the position at Michigan State Normal College, and by 1904 he had increased the number of course offerings to ten; by 1912, twelve courses were offered in the catalogue; and by 1925 the Geography Department had three fulltime faculty members and offered twenty-five courses making the department at the time, one of the largest in the United States. Beginning in 1921, a variety of extension courses were offered in the state as far north as Traverse City, Cheboygan and Bad Axe. Between 1901 and 1939, it is estimated that Jefferson personally addressed himself to the task of teaching 15,000 students at Normal. His colleagues Margaret Sill and Ella Wilson most likely addressed a further 7,000 to 8,000 students. It is estimated that 80% of the Normal graduates entered the teaching field, and that Jefferson directly influenced 12,000 teachers. As a writer of geography, Jefferson published approximately 120 books and articles. Jefferson retired in 1939, at the age of 77. At that time approximately 27,000 students had studied geography at Normal since 1853. Geography had won respect as a discipline and found content, purpose and a following. Mark Jefferson played an important role, not only in the Geography and Geology Department, but in the Geography Field outside of EMU as well. His large collection of published material stands as a testament to the respect and admiration that fellow geographers from all over the world bestowed upon him. His map making and photography were always a large part of his studies, his teachings, his writings and his leisure. Jefferson's honors, published works, picture taking, mapmaking, lecturing and his vigorous letter writing leave little to the imagination as to what Jefferson did with his time. Yet, somehow he managed to be married twice, and father eight children. He also found time to travel extensively with both his scholarly peers and family, speak at various geographical societies' gatherings, and still be involved in the community of Ypsilanti in various civil groups and clubs. Jefferson also made his mark on the world by being chosen in 1918, to be the Head Cartographer in Paris during the American Commission to Negotiate Peace in Paris after World War I. Mark Sylvester William Jefferson died in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on August 8, 1949.
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Building Namesake
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Mark Jefferson, Head of Geography and Geology Department, 1901 - 1939
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Year Constructed
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1967
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Date Dedicated
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24 October 1969
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Building Functions
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Departments of Chemistry and Biology
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Architect
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Einhorn, Yaffee, Prescott, P.C., Albany, NY
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Original Cost
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$8,500,000
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Architectural Style
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Brutalism
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Square Footage
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180,802
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Rights
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This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the owner, Eastern Michigan University Archives (lib_archives@emich.edu).
