Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Swanlund Administration Building [PAGE 4]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

Morton W. Weir Interim Chancellor of the Urbana-Champaign Campus

A am delighted to welcome you to this happy ceremony, and to be a part of it. My role is to introduce the various participants as well as others in the platform party But first, I'd like to say a personal word or two of thanks to Mrs. Swanlund; for no one else you will hear from represents the occupants—the direct and immediate beneficiaries—of the generosity of Maybelle Swanlund. Mrs. Swanlund, this is a beautiful building. It is pleasant, and functional, and the addition of the top two floors has brought the campus administration together as has never been possible before. We now have 35,000 gross square feet in which to locate key operations of the administration. As you know, my office is on the fifth floor, which of course, allows me to look down on the President. If we could go up just four more floors, I could look down on psychology and all of my departmental colleagues. Mrs. Swanlund has been an active participant in the entire project, including this dedication ceremony. She has expressed particular interest in the artwork, the furnishings, and the sixth floor employee lounge. Indeed, in that regard, Mrs. Swanlund wrote in one of her letters: "Busy people need more space, communication, and relaxation." The employee lounge provides just such an area. This addition has also given us the opportunity to add some perfecting touches to the original floors—and as a result the entire building has benefited. Finally, Mrs. Swanlund, I'd like to thank you for your continuing interest and support of higher education. A few months ago, you wrote the following to Chancellor Thomas E. Everhart: "The education of our youth is the foundation of our nation." This is the kind of vision and commitment which will greatly enhance our educational effort and will keep our state and nation strong.