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KU commemorates 60th anniversary of Military Science
Building
KU's military science department in December
commemorated the 60th anniversary of its home with a
ceremony featuring Ross Ley, c'42, commander of the
cadet battalion in 1941-42 and an Army ROTC instructor
from 1942 to 1944.
"This event pays tribute to those who have gone
before, especially those of the 'Greatest Generation,'"
said Lt. Col. Brian De Toy, professor of military science.
"It also pays tribute to those who are serving
today and to the future of the military-the cadets of
the Jayhawk Battalion."
In early 1942, Chancellor Deane Malott convinced the
federal government to declare KU an official military
training center. Thousands of cadets, mates, officers
and others then flooded campus-so many that KU converted
Strong Hall into a military barracks and built extra
housing facilities,
Amid the influx, KU also was trying to build a new
home for its growing ROTC program.
In 1939, Malott had proposed construction of an armory
for the ROTC, which had nearly doubled in ranks in two
years to 700 students. Construction began in spring
1941 with the federal Works Progress Administration
providing $143,000 on the condition that the university
raised $25,000 and contributed building materials. The
KU Endowment Association raised the money from 22 KU
alumni and other supporters.
However, the building was not yet complete in 1942
when the WPA was shut down. KU then turned to the Kansas
Legislature for help. In 1943 the legislators appropriated
$69,000 to complete the building. The Military Science
Building was completed Nov. 1, 1943, and was dedicated
the following month.
The three-story building, with a veneer of stones the
University had saved from old Snow Hall, contained a
rifle range, artillery storage room and a large drill
room as well as classrooms and offices.
To learn more about ROTC at KU today, visit these sites:
Army ROTC : http://www.ukans.edu/~kuarotc/intro.swf
Navy ROTC:
http://www.ku.edu/~kunrotc/
Air Force ROTC:
http://www.ku.edu/~afrotc/
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