The WHAM Education Building: A History of Education and Campus Culture at SIU
Connected to the waist of Pulliam Hall is a building that houses a history of education. The Wham Education Building, a muse of inspiration, is the location of a new Welcome Center, has inspired puns through campus culture, and is named in the spirit of George D. Wham. At first glance, students may not even notice there is a separate building which houses its own wings and is different from Pulliam Hall entirely.
With lovely clean right angles in all the right places and a towering peak that would only be complimented by church bells, Pullian Hall does catch the eye. Surely the building at its hip doesn’t have much to say, right? No, in fact this building is rich in practicality, diversity, and is a versatile contributor to SIU’s culture.
The Legacy of George D. Wham
The buildings’ nostalgic nature stems from its rich history. George Dorritt Wham was an education professor at SIUC from 1906 to 1938, after which he became dean of faculty. In a tragic moment, then-President Henry Shryock died suddenly on April 13, 1932. George Wham assumed the role as president during this sudden call to action. This gesture of maintaining a healthy order at SIUC is still alive and well within the Wham Building to this day.
A Hub of Education and Positive Experiences
Since it was built in 1964 it has housed many important aspects of education and continues to provide a healthy approach to learning. Many students have a positive and fulfilling experience during their academic stint at the Wham building. Though the building is versatile in its contributions to education and mental health, it has a jovial side to its impact on campus culture too.
Campus Culture and Lighthearted Puns
Back during the time of big hair and ripped jeans students had a little lighthearted fun with the buildings name. Campus culture back in the 80’s couldn’t help but think of the band with the same name minus the exclamation mark (Wham!). Though this inside joke wasn’t used in a classroom setting, being connected to a hit album from pop culture is never truly a bad thing. For those who aren’t familiar with the Wham Education Building, you may be thinking, is it pronounced Wham with an ‘am’ like ham, or is it an “ah” sound like when the doc tells you to open your mouth and say ‘ah?’ Matthew Borowicz, of SIU’s staff directory was able to clear that up. Borowicz also provided greater context to the joke, explaining it’s obviously a pun that is better suited amongst peers.
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Navigating Boundaries and Promoting Student Success
Higher education encourages an atmosphere that has a healthy balance of hard work, the ability to express a creative side and respectful boundaries. Boundaries aren’t always as obvious as they seem, however. Since the Wham Building is connected to Pulliam Hall, it can sometimes be confusing for students to recognize the buildings have separate wings. Campus culture and student success continue to receive investments through the opening of a new multipurpose Welcome Center.
A New Welcome Center: Room 112
Room 112 in the Wham Education Building showcases renovated colorful wall graphics, a shiny new glass white board, and is capped off with a larger-than life mural of Saluki dogs walking through campus. The impacts on campus community are alive and well as new plans and ideas are to come for the Wham Education Building. The excitement around this renovation was expressed by current faculty and staff. This sentiment of a healthy environment and a strong culture is mirrored by Dean M. Cecil Smith when remarking on their excitement for the room 112 upgrade. “They’re a part of us, and we’re a part of them. Generosity and giving back are integral parts of a healthy and welcoming community. We can see through the donations and continuous work, a call to action is being upheld. Continuing the pursuit of education highlights the special prevenance of these spaces.
Lasting Impressions and a Call to Action
George D. Wham spent his career as an academic, and 90 years ago he accepted a call to action that maintained order within SIUC. Just as culture and knowledge stand the test of time, so do the leaders of the past. Those with great impact leave lasting impressions.
Memorials and Monuments at SIU
The main campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale contains numerous statues, landmarks, memorials, and other monuments dedicated to or created by former students, staff, and faculty of the university. Many of these artifacts commemorate the deaths and accomplishments of these individuals. Other monuments include commissioned works of art or group memorials, or else landmarks important to the history of the university. Early memorials are often set into the ground and accompanied by a specially planted tree. More modern memorials usually take the form of a bench with an attached plaque. While nearly all of the buildings on the SIU campus are named for individuals associated with the university, very few rooms within these buildings have been dedicated to specific individuals. In many cases, memorials are centered around buildings related to the work of those memorialized. For instance, Philosophy Department faculty memorials are found near the south end of Faner Hall, former home of the SIU Philosophy Department, while memorials to students and faculty of the School of Education are found around Pulliam Hall, historically the site of SIU's Teachers College. The earliest artifact viewable publicly on campus which can be identified dates to 1870, and is the cornerstone of the now-demolished Wheeler Library.
Examples of memorials and monuments include:
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- "In Memory of Willis Moore (1905 - 1992) Chairman, Philosophy Dept. "
- "In Loving Memory of Alana DeNae' Ross Oct. 4, 1989 Dec.
- John S. "This Garden Honors John S.
- In front of a tree along W.
- Near the circle and flagpole where W. Grand Avenue meets S.
- Stone post marking the spot where Grand Avenue once continued onto university grounds.
- On the northeast side of Woody Hall behind the building near S.
- Carla J. "In Memory of Carla J.
- Small green space where Lincoln Dr.
- "These stones were transported by boat from St. Louis and put into use by Daniel Harmon Brush, Founder of Carbondale, on this spot of land in the year 1854.
- Evelyn W. "Pink Dogwood Planted November 2002 In Honor of Evelyn W.
- Dr. Hellmut A. Hartwig and Mrs. Beata E. "In Honor Of Dr. Hellmut A. Hartwig & Mrs. Beata E.
- Shirley J. "Saucer Magnolia Tree Planted June 2010 In Honor of Shirley J.
- John T. "Japanese Snowbell Planted September 1998 In Honor Of John T.
- Dr.
- "This is a reproduction of the original Paul and Virginia fountain which had been donated to Southern Illinois Normal University by the Class of 1887.
- Delyte W. "Delyte W.
- Northeast side of the Old Main quad to the northeast of Altgeld Hall alongside W.
- "Dorothy Morris Gardens Sponsors Anny Nursery Co., W.
- "Fifty Year Commemorative.
- Delyte W. Morris President Southern Illinois University 1948 - 1970 1948 - 1998.
- "Dorothy Mayo Morris.
- Mrs. W.
- "W.
- Charles T. "In Memory Of Charles T.
- Emma K. "In Honor Of Emma K.
- Delyte W. Morris and Eugene T. "In Memory Of Delyte W. Morris And Eugene T.
- At the end of W.
- Along W.
- Elena M. "Elena M Sliepcevich* Centre For Health Education Studies Founded 2008 At SIUC As A Tribute To "Dr. Judy C.
- Dr. Charles B.
- "If you have a purpose in which you believe there's no end to the amount of things you can accomplish -- Dedicated to the life and spirit of Dr. Douglas N.
- "In honor of Douglas N.
- Dr.
- "In Memory of Barbara Cordoni, Ph.D.
- Dr. Fred A. "In Memory of Fred A. Sloan, JR., Ph.D.
- Walter L. "Foster Holly Planted December 2004 In Honor of Walter L.
- Mitotic Geometry, Sculptor Christiane T. "Christiane T.
- Ronald A. "Southern Magnolia In Honor of Ronald A.
- Nancy A. "In Memory Of Nancy A.
- W.G. "Given by Haline M. Carlton (1938) In Memory of her father W.G.
- "A true Saluki, who found inspiration, love & courage at SIUC.
- Dr. Elmer H. "In Memory of Dr. Elmer H.
- Eternal Marriage vs. "Kara Nasca Eternal Marriage vs. 'Til Death Do Us Part, 1983 copper, rocks Gift of Mr. and Mrs.
- Ronald B. "In Memory of Ron 'The Baker'
- Ronald B. "Ira Dugan Tripp, JR.
- Dr. Donald L. "Treasured Memories of Dr. Donald L.
- Charles C. "This Plaza Is Named In Honor Of Charles C.
- "In Memory Of Those Who Died In The Pyramid Apartment Fire On December 6, 1992.
- Alex J. "In Memory Of Alex J.
- Dr. "This Outdoor Space Is Dedicated To Honor An In Memory Of Dr. George Kapusta.
- Dr. Jason A. "In Memory Of Jason A.
- Thomas R. "In Memory Of Thomas R.
- "Fulkerson Hall 1960 William G. Stratton / Governor Board of Trustees John F. Wham, Kenneth L. Davis, Harold R.
- "PHI S _ _ .
- A Trifecta of memorials to Gary D. Morava,[16][17] Frank Kleas Schmitz, and William T.
- Jill T. "In Loving Memory Jill T. Gobert B.S.
- Dr. "In Memory Of Dr. Ralph E.
- Howard B. "In Memoriam Howard B.
- Todd S. In Memory Of Todd S.
- Reaper, Sculptor Scott M. "Scott M. Wallace 'Reaper' 1983 Commissioned by the Illinois % [sic] for Art Program Capital Development Board James R.
- "Edward McCullough 'Bridge 5' 1983 Commissioned by the Illinois % [sic] for Art Program Capital Development Board James R.
- Elizabeth A. "In Memoriam Elizabeth A.
- Dr. Charles C. Myers and Joyce A. " 'You are leaving here better than you came.' Dr. Charles C.
- Ernest J. and Mary C. "Ernest J. And Mary C.
- " 'Momentum' 2004 J. Medwedeff Medwedeff Forge & Design Studio: M. Rieckenberg C. Roth, J. Schulyer, J.
- Dr. Glafkos D. "In Loving Memory Of Dr. Glafkos D. Galanos December 9, 1948 - April 11, 2021 Quarter Century Of Leadership Chair, Dept.
- Harry T. "Moore Lecture Hall Harry T.
- Michael G. "In Memory of Our Friend, Michael G.
- Scott A. "In Memory of Scott A.
- John H. "John H.
- Linz C. "In Memory of Linz C.
- Wilbur C. "Wilbur C. McDaniel 1910 - 1993 Math Dept. CHM.
- "In Memory of Cooper Woods Forestry Class of 2018 His time at SIU and as a member of the Forestry Club turned friends to family.
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tags: #WHAM #educational #building #history
