Longwood dedicates new, improved Grainger Hall (photo album)

As more than a dozen members of the Grainger family looked on, Grainger Hall, the first building to be rebuilt since the fire of April 24, 2001, was dedicated Aug. 19 with a ribbon-cutting befitting its high-tech capabilities.

“In the days following the Great Fire of 2001 that destroyed the Ruffners and caused the demolition of Grainger Hall, I promised that Grainger and the Ruffners would be rebuilt - AND that they would be rebuilt to look like the original buildings,” President Patricia Cormier told more than 200 people gathered on the lawn in front of Grainger. “It has taken almost 27 months, but the first Phoenix has risen from the ashes and we stand here today in wonder at her beauty and marvel at how this brand-new building could look like the old Grainger - the Grainger that was built in 1903 - just over 100 years ago.”

Dr. Cormier noted the striking similarities between the old Grainger and the new version. “It has the same number of floors, the different window styles on the side windows, the beautiful brick arches leading into the front of the building,” she said. “And, of course, it has the original medallions above the windows on the front. The same medallions that graced Grainger for 98 years are now back in their rightful place.”

In some ways, the new Grainger will be even better. “Grainger is high-tech: every classroom has a high-end computer in an instructor’s console with a DVD player, VCR, visual presenter and a ceiling-mounted projector; access to the Longwood network and Internet; and study areas with data and power,” Dr. Cormier said. “This building is unique on Longwood’s campus - and one of only a few in the nation - that is totally wireless. This building is both wired and wireless. Wireless means that students do not need to physically connect their laptops to data ports to access the University network and Internet - they can access the network and Internet without plugging the computer into an outlet - and they can walk around the building surfing the web. The Ruffners, when they come on line, will also be a wireless building, as will the new science building that will be under construction later this month.”

The traditional ribbon-cutting featured a modern twist. In recognition of the “unique wireless nature” of Grainger, Dr. Cormier noted, computer wires were used in lieu of a ribbon. Assisting Dr. Cormier with the “wire-cutting” were Ann Baise, rector of the Longwood Board of Visitors, Dr. David Cordle, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. McRae “Mac” Amoss, chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages, each of whom spoke, and three senior members of that department: Dr. Carolyn Craft, Dr. Craig Challender and Dr. John Reynolds.

Some 15 descendants of Dr. James Moses Grainger, for whom the building is named, attended the ceremony, including a son and a daughter, Inslee E. Grainger of Roanoke and Martha Grainger Morgan of Harrisonburg, several grandchildren (including his namesake, James M. Grainger III of Richmond), and a great-granddaughter, Mimi Adams. Dr. Grainger (1879-1968) taught English at Longwood from 1908 to 1950 and was department chair for all but the first two years.

The audience also included seven members of the Longwood Board of Visitors, representatives of the building’s architect, Moseley Architects, and contractor, English Construction Co. of Lynchburg, and three area members of the General Assembly, Senator Frank Ruff and Delegates Clarke Hogan and Tommy Wright, whose assistance concerning the building was noted. “They helped us get emergency legislation passed when we had the fire that allowed us to side-step some of the bureaucratic red tape and to replicate the architectural style for Ruffner and Grainger,” Dr. Cormier said. “They also worked tirelessly to get $1 million appropriated to Longwood to supplement the insurance money so that we could rebuild and furnish Grainger.”

The four-story, 27,694-square foot building will again be home to the Department of English and Modern Languages, Longwood’s largest academic department. Some 30 faculty members, mostly from that department, lost their office in the fire. The old Grainger also housed the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, which eventually will move into the new Ruffner complex, which is due to be completed in January 2005.

“The Great Fire of 2001 was truly a devastating time in Longwood’s history, but the new buildings rising from the ashes will, like the Phoenix, allow us to soar into the future,” Dr. Cormier said.