Then and Now

An offer to provide a brief history of a newly renovated building on campus provided the perfect invitation to do a little visual comparisons. The newly renovated building started life as a post office and now houses IT staff.

Area with students PO boxes in the 1960s, many students gathered in front of the samll square boxes in the walls

Mail time in the 1960s.

Students traditionally filed over at 11am to pick up their mail. The 1958 post office boasted air conditioning – with a unit visible in the upper left. To get in all the boxes for students and towns people, narrow halls were necessary.

Newly renovated space for IT

No narrow halls now. Instead the floor plan offers flexible spaces, brighter colors and we hope better air conditioning. Coming back, it made sense to check out changes in the library.

Little Library main floor

Opened in 1974, the library featured display cases and shelves of books and magazines as well as study tables.

Little Library main floor in 2017

In 2017, the library still has magazines but they share space with dvds. There are fewer book shelves and more computers.

Library’s social study space in 1977

Students could chose between a balcony overlook or getting closer to the windows. President’s portraits overlooked the students.

Same space in 2017

Newer furniture — some of it on wheels. White boards and new art on the walls compete with the views and computer cords drape across it all.

The view out this window has changed with the new Wall Academic Center.

Dave Grant teaching in the dogwood dell outdoor classroom

Dave Grant teaches in the dogwood dell outdoor classroom

Instead of a spread of dogwood trees and a circle of benches, students now have an urban-vibe terrace between the wings of the Wall Center.

The "Mauze Family Terrace" right next to Wall

Davidson goes urban

The view from the front of the library changed as well. Richardson plaza has art while the landscaping by large planters has given way to open spaces.

The front of E.H. Little library seen through two trees and a grass circle plaza with students studying below the trees

Low-key version of the plaza

The left front side of E.H. Little Library behind the grassy area with sculptures and trees

A more formal plaza

Planters in front of E.H. Little Library

Dogwoods tried to thrive in these planters but mostly didn’t.

A picture of the right side of the E.H. Little Library and the left side of Wall, centered is a bare tree in the grass

Fewer bricks, more grass

The new building has special features including a “green” wall with living plants but in some ways, even with new technology, science labs look like science labs.

Science in the mid-20th century

21st century lab – just beginning to be used.

The new building did have a major change reflecting student choices. Students aren’t drinking well water these days but they are carrying a variety of water bottles everywhere.