The Pointer UW-Stevens Point Student Newspaper
The Learning Resource Center has carried James Albertson’s name since the early 1970s, but has recently been renamed Albertson Hall.
Renaming the Learning Resource Center to Albertson Hall is not as sudden as some might guess. The Albertson family contacted the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point wanting to donate various scholarly papers and books by James Albertson to the library.
On July 1, 1962, James H. Albertson was chosen as the eighth president of Wisconsin State College at Stevens Point. He believed that higher education should be an environment of learning.
“Higher education is committed to helping individuals develop their talents and competencies in the service of others,” Albertson said at his first convocation.
Photo by Colton Oltesvig.
Albertson was known for improving the environment, demanding excellence and expanding the campus.
The new name, Albertson Hall, is appropriate for the building. It is at the center of the university and is always expanding to include new programs. Albertson Hall includes the library resources, tutoring center, disability center, computer centers and recently added advising center.
It has become more than just a library, it is a place where students can pursue excellence throughout their time in college.
According to Kathy Davis, Dean of University College, that Learning Resource Center is actually an outdated term. She also mentions that Albertson hall is not a traditional library anymore.
“The whole concept behind the LRC is that it would be a gathering place to support instruction, that it would include more than just the library,” Davis said.
Albertson Hall has recently taken a fresh approach to include a wide variety of services and was in need of a fresh name.
Greg Summers, provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs, is responsible for numerous functions related to teaching and learning. These include academic planning, program review, accreditation, general education, and assessment of student learning.
“It is much more conventional to refer to important academic buildings as halls,” Summers said. “We’re in the process of ordering some new signs and changing how the building is listed on the timetable, campus maps and many other places.”
Those many other places include every single web page, room, sign and business card. In addition, renovation to the building is projected to occur in the coming years.
Carl Rasmussen, director of Facilities Planning, has been arranging exterior signs and database updates. One component of this involves completing various forms and notifications with other state agencies beyond just the campus.
“The cost for identity and ‘You Are Here’ sign changes are about $2,400 total,” Rasmussen said. “Additional cost for staff time are needed to update various space inventories and databases where building names are involved.”
Despite changes, Albertson Hall will continue to live out the purpose intended by James Albertson over 50 years ago – to provide a learning environment for students to pursue excellence on campus in preparation for the future.
Kaitlyn Wanta
Reporter
Kaitlyn.M.Wanta@uwsp.edu
