Squires Student Center
Squires Student Center, viewed from College and Otey Streets
Formerly known as Student Activities Building and Squires Hall. It consists of an inner core (the original Squires Hall) and surrounding buildings added later.The original Squires Hall was completed in May, 1937, at a cost of $224,750 and contained 54,366 sq. ft. It was named in 1949 for John H. Squires, class of 1905, who had donated $10,000 toward the structure. Civilian students had their dining hall in the building from September, 1937, to September, 1939. The original building was closed in 1966 for the first surrounding addition and renovation. Construction began in 1967. The new building reopened in 1969 but was not completed until winter 1970; it was renamed Squires Student Center and dedicated May 12, 1970. That building contained 162,848 sq. ft. and cost approximately $3,500,000. Among the facilities added were two ballrooms, a 512-seat theater, cafeteria, snack bar, an 8-lane bowling alley, a 24-table billiard room, a table tennis room, 30 meeting-conference rooms, a music practice room, an art gallery, arts and crafts rooms, lounges, and offices. Another renovation completed in 1991 expanded the building even more, adding a food court, music and theatre production spaces, additional office and meeting space, and offices and practice rooms for the music department.
John Houston Squires
Squires Student Center bears the name of John Houston Squires, class of 1905, a chemist, explosive expert, and banker, who through his generous behest, enabled Virginia Tech to construct a student activity building. Before he came to Virginia Tech, Squires was part of a student rebellion at North Carolina A & M College (now N.C. State). He and his classmates were labeled "thugs" by the administration when they challenged a rule that stripped seniors of their off-campus privileges. Faced with the choice of withdrawing or being expelled, Squires and most of the senior class withdrew. Although the administration relented, Squires decided to continue his education in Blacksburg.
Address: College Avenue | Map Grid: N-4
Originally Built: | Abbreviation: SQUIR