This installment of the “History of UVA Dorm Names” series will focus on the Alderman and Runk areas, with Gooch and Dillard, Alderman Road’s “Motel” dorms, the Hereford residential college, and JMW. While Old Dorms typically referenced the early figures at the University and New Dorms drew from much of the 20th century, these are a somewhat eclectic mix of different namesakes. Gooch and Dillard were both from the World Wars era, while Alderman Road generally joins Old Dorms in referencing the start of the University. However, all of these historical figures have fascinating pasts which are typically forgotten by the student body.
Honored by the looming (and remote) first-year complex at the edge of Grounds, Robert Gooch and Hardy Cross Dillard were involved in the First and Second World Wars respectively, and both have excellent and detailed Wikipedia entries. Gooch, like many at UVA, would join the US military during the First World War, risking his life in France. His service would see him awarded a medal by the French government. After the war, he returned to the University and would ultimately teach politics for some time. During his incredibly accomplished lifetime, Dillard first joined the Law School at UVA before immediately graduating into professorship- a remarkable achievement on its own. He would return to the University first to become a professor in 1931, and again in 1963, assuming the role of Dean. His legal career is also notably progressive for the era, working in favor of school integration. During and after the Second World War, Dillard served in multiple military positions, and later in his life was appointed to the International Court of Justice where he resolved international territorial disputes.
After a successful military career, Edward Courtenay would apply his technical knowledge in education, teaching at multiple universities before becoming the “Chair of Mathematics” at the University of Virginia in 1842. He would tragically pass away after a decade of teaching and at the age of 50. A (perhaps slightly too) eloquent memorial to his life can be found at this link.
Another early member of the faculty, Robley Dunglison was a celebrated physician- one of the best in the country at the time. He treated multiple presidents, including Jefferson. Due to his close relationship with Jefferson, he was immediately tapped upon the founding of the University, where he would conduct some medical research while also teaching. Like many early figures at UVA, he was a slave owner. He would eventually move to other universities, but his time at UVA was vital to the new institution. His detailed Wikipedia page provides even further background information.
While the other two namesakes of the Alderman Road “Motel” Dorms were from the early 19th century, Thomas Fitz Hugh first received a Masters from UVA in 1883, and was the chairman of the Latin Department from 1902 to 1929. Some information about his life can be found in the University’s archive.
Frank Hereford would spend much of his life and career at the University of Virginia, starting as an undergraduate, working as a professor of physics, and eventually succeeding Shannon as President in 1974. During his decade in the role, he oversaw the reconstruction of the Rotunda back to its original design. He also worked to improve ties with alumni to secure the University’s funds, while continuing to expand the University’s physical footprint and diversify admissions. The University of Virginia has an excellent writeup of his life.
The “Hereford” residential college contains two buildings, named after Betty Norris and Gordon Whyburn. The only information on Betty Norris comes from UVA’s housing name information page, describing her as a School of Nursing faculty member, assistant dean, and Alumni Association president. Meanwhile, Whyburn was a major figure in UVA’s Mathematics Department, specifically focusing on topology. First joining in 1934, he would teach for many decades and eventually became the chair of the department.
Nathan Johnson was one of the key founders of UVA’s “Consultative Resource Center,” a part of UVA’s School of Education which worked to desegregate schools in the local area. Johnson was hired as the associate director in 1967, becoming the first African American member of UVA’s faculty. Johnson was a major figure in the Education School at the time, and played an important role in expanding the diversity and perspectives of the University’s staff. His legacy is also explored in an excellent UVA article.
First teaching at UVA in 1923, Dumas Malone would spend most of his career at other universities. However, his Pulitzer-Prize winning biographical series on the life of Thomas Jefferson was very important to the University and to the study of Jefferson as a whole. This series covered many different books and the numerous aspects and accomplishments of Jefferson’s life. He would return to UVA in his later years, teaching history and finishing his literary career before passing away in 1986.
Like the other two faculty for which the “JMW” block is named, William Weedon was a more contemporary figure at the University, first receiving a PhD at UVA before returning as a professor. Interestingly, Weedon was mainly known for not limiting his teachings to a singular discipline, instead providing many different courses covering a variety of liberal arts subjects during his long tenure. A very detailed Wikipedia article also covers his military service in the US Navy.
One of the most interesting trends noticeable in the namesakes of each of the housing “blocks” are the ties and similarities between the professors. Oftentimes these professors were contemporaries of one another, making their groupings an obvious and natural pair. Similarly, their legacies are often comparable. Many of the past figures had dubious or unethical practices, such as the owning of slaves, while others were more progressive figures, a dichotomy that paints a complex but very important picture of the University’s past. Meanwhile, many of the modern faculty namesakes are renowned for their dedication to education and service, with many teaching for decades. Understanding the history of these buildings is a worthwhile endeavor which also yields surprises, disappointments, and most importantly, many inspirational and trailblazing figures from UVA’s storied past.
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