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Roosevelt University

Building architecture has long been trying to keep pace with technological advances; and in many cases that is a good thing. The downside to this is the loss of many great old buildings. The City of Chicago has taken steps to preserve as many of these buildings as possible by declaring them historical landmarks; such is the case with Roosevelt University.

Located at 430 South Michigan Avenue, Roosevelt University's history is as diverse as its student population. Designed by famed architects Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, and assisted by then unknown apprentice Frank Lloyd Wright, the Auditorium Building was built on a floating foundation that consisted of railroad ties crisscrossed on caissons sunk to the bedrock floor below. This was a common practice at the time and a look at the history of many of the older buildings in Chicago will reveal that they too are built on what is known as a floating foundation.

Completed in 1889, a look out the front of the Auditorium Building then would show a lakefront very different than the one we know today. Almost meeting the front doors of the building, Lake Michigan covered the magnificent Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain that now can be seen from the front doors of the university. One of the fascinating facts about the Auditorium Building is that it was originally built as a 400-room, five-star, luxury hotel and housed 136 offices and stores, as well as the theatre, seating 4,200. At the time of its completion, the Auditorium Building was the first multi-use building in the country, and the tallest, heaviest building in the world. This being a newly developed concept, it was often referred to as "the eighth wonder of the world". The theatre became known for its near perfect acoustics, and, on opening night, dazzled its first audience with a spectacular display of 10,000 electric lights. While one may question what was so spectacular about this, it must be kept in mind that the year was 1889. The Auditorium Building was the first to have electric lights.

The hotel enjoyed servicing the elite class of Chicago until the beginning of the Second World War when the Auditorium Building was used as USO housing for members of the armed forces. In all, over 22 million servicemen made their way through the Auditorium Building during the four years of the war. After much wear and tear, and the end of the war, the Auditorium was to receive a much-needed facelift and a new lease on life.

Founded in 1945, and named in honor of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Roosevelt University purchased the building in 1946, and began occupancy in 1947. An undertaking of such magnitude is a giant leap of courage even when fully prepared. For Roosevelt University founders, this leap was the biggest ever. Beginning with no campus, no library, and no endowment, these obstacles were soon overcome and the University flourished. Growing rapidly over the years, Roosevelt University now boasts of two campuses, each being independently staffed and served by their own administrative offices respectively.

Many new and already established curriculums comprise the total academic disciplines of Roosevelt University. The College of Arts and Sciences has developed outstanding programs in social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences; the Walter E. Heller College of Business Administration combines liberal arts with professional training in areas ranging from accounting to international business; the College of Education offers classes in educational administration and supervision; the Chicago College of Performing Arts provides training in music and theatre; and for those adults already in the workforce and who want to return to earn their degrees, the Evelyn T. Stone University College provides a fast-track Bachelor of General Studies degree and classes in hospitality management and training and development. With over 7,400 students enrolled from not only the city, but from across the nation and from over 70 countries around the world, Roosevelt University has developed a reputation for excellence. Music students are provided soundproof, air-conditioned practice rooms with state-of-the-art equipment. Sixteen digital pianos with MIDI equipment and computers with special software keep the students up-to-date technologically while still affording them the exquisite sounds from the baby grand pianos also available to them. The music library has on hand more than 75,000 books and music scores and over 25,000 sound recordings for student use. And keeping in mind the diverse background of all the students, Roosevelt University Administration has provided a very flexible class schedule including early morning, late evening, and weekend classes.

Declared a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior in 1975, and a Chicago landmark in 1976, the owners of the Auditorium Building have sought to preserve as much of the original interior as possible. Many of the rooms used today for social gatherings and meetings have undergone extensive restoration projects to return them to their original beginnings.

The Louis Sullivan Room, named for the building architect, has actually undergone two such restorations. Used as a ladies parlor in the early hotel days, the walls had been painted a soft blue with intricate gold stenciling highlighted in ivory following the top of the walls. Marble windowsills graced with an elegantly carved oak fireplace between them created a warm atmosphere in the room. Unfortunately, by the end of the war, the Sullivan Room was badly in need of repair. The walls were painted over and the fireplaces were removed, leaving the room void of the once lavish surroundings provided for its patrons.

Wanting to preserve the originality of the building Roosevelt owners hired Crombie Taylor, a restoration specialist, in 1958 to return the room to its original look. Working from photographs, the walls were repainted the same soft blue, the stencil pattern was once again applied to the walls and the original draperies were re-created. The floor was redone in oak parquet while 19th century furniture accented by area rugs gave the room the historical feel they were looking for. About five years ago, philanthropist and architectural preservationist Seymour Persky communicated with art dealers across the country to locate, buy back, and donate to Roosevelt the original fireplace, mantle, and hearth that had been torn out of the Sullivan Room 65 years before. After many years of use, 1999 saw yet another restoration for the Sullivan Room. Again, the walls were repainted, the stenciling reapplied in gold metallic, new draperies were hung, and the floor was re-sealed. Eight oil paintings and twelve engravings of early Chicago were hung on the walls. And with a little bit of luck, one of the original mosaic fireplaces had been found, restored, and donated to the University. Adding the final touch to the room, the fireplace again stands proud, emanating the historical relevance of the Sullivan Room.

Singled out as the most historically significant room in the building, the Rudolph Ganz Memorial Hall is undergoing perhaps the most intricate restoration. Shortly after the building opened, this elegant room became a banquet hall. After serving many people throughout the years, Roosevelt University management converted the hall into a recital room for smaller, more intimate musical or social gatherings. The core of the project revolves around ten oil murals painted by Chicago Artist Albert Francois Fleury. Fleury, noted for his city life scenes, was a professor at the Art Institute of Chicago. Painted specifically for Ganz Hall, these paintings have become a notable point in this historically significant building. One by one they were removed and restored to their original magnificence. After 17 months of restoration work by the Chicago Conservation Center, all ten historic murals have been restored to their original luster. In addition to this, seventeen pieces of stained glass window, made from antique glass and cut jewels, and previously installed to enhance the building's interior, will be re-leaded, wooden pillars and benches will be restored, and lighting, ventilation, heating and air conditioning will receive the attention needed to provide the maximum amount of energy efficiency possible. Completing the massive restoration project will be the recreation of the elegant electroliers that originally lit the room.

While restoration in these two rooms has required the most intricate work, some of the smaller theatres, as well as classrooms, have a new look, too. Nineteen of the classrooms located on floors three through six have been renovated so far. Installation of new lights, carpeting, furniture, and updated interior decorating have brought these rooms into the 21st century. The only remaining indication of an era-gone-by are the original doors and windows still in place in each room. The recently finished O'Malley Theatre had 300 new seats put in as well as new carpeting. A sophisticated lighting system provides students with all the technology needed for today's modern stage productions.

While the word library instills visions of a dark, musty room with walls lined in old books, the Roosevelt library is just the opposite. Originally serving as the hotel dining room, the stately, arched ceiling provides an open, airy invitation to all students wanting to peruse the 75,000 books available to them for studies. Walls finished in intricately hand-carved original woodwork enhance the outdoor scene murals located at each end of the arched ceiling. These murals as well are slated for the restoration process. Students are provided ample room to spread out and study in an atmosphere that only a first-class educational institution can provide. There is no question why such noted celebrities as Oprah Winfrey and Bill Cosby would speak and perform for the benefit of Roosevelt's students.

For those students wishing to attend Roosevelt University but not living within commuting distance, the Herman Crowne Center, located on Wabash Avenue adjacent to the Auditorium Building, provides housing for 320 students. This 17-story residence hall was erected in 1971 and offers fully furnished, double occupancy rooms with laundry facilities, security, and various other student amenities.

Overseeing all this work is Chief Engineer, Tom Flynn. Together with Assistant Chief Rocco Grimaldi, and the engineering staff of Tim Sullivan, Martin Donnellan, Charles Thompson, James O'Connor and Ernie Truesdale, Tom and his staff have been kept on their toes since the restoration projects have begun. In addition to the highly visible restoration taking place, another renovation is also taking place behind the scenes. A complete renovation of the mechanical room is now underway.

With space in the mechanical room being at a premium, Tom has had to make sure that every minute detail is taken care of. Two new Easco boilers have been installed by AMS Mechanical, replacing the existing two 700 HP Cleaver Brooks boilers. A hole in the above floor actually needed to be cut to lower the equipment into place. This being a tricky project in and of itself, Tom made sure that the contractors completed the work with topnotch precision. In addition to the new chiller system being installed, a crane lift was needed to place the new cooling tower on top of the dormitory building. Separate air handlers on each floor ensure the comfort of students and instructors throughout the day and evening.

With high technology being the name of the game, electric power is a non-negotiable item in the university. A high priority on the renovation list, a new emergency generator will be installed to act as a backup power system in the event of a power failure. Holding twelve hours of diesel fuel, the generator will supply power to the theatre, dormitory and classroom emergency lighting systems, as well as enough power for two elevators and two fire pumps. Nine, 30-HP water pumps for condenser and chilled water supply the entire complex, including the dormitory.

So for now, much of Tom's day is spent on the renovation process. Tom and his staff work closely with the contractors involved to ensure the job is run safely, smoothly, and on time. When this is finished, a typical day will find them monitoring the startup of the cooling or heating system, monitoring the Johnson Control Metasys building automation system, or completing a portion of the preventive maintenance program. Because of the age of the building, each day presents its own challenge. As Tom related, "Working in a building this old is just not as straightforward as being in some of the newer buildings."

With the success of the Chicago campus, Roosevelt University began to consider expansion to the suburbs. Their aim was to provide an easier access to their high quality of educational services for the suburban students. Beginning in a former elementary school located in Arlington Heights, Roosevelt University opened its first suburban campus in 1978. With a total of fifteen classrooms and shared faculty with the downtown campus, only a limited class schedule could be offered. By 1984, over 1,800 students had enrolled in the university. With classrooms bursting at the seams, University management looked for larger accommodations. Growing by leaps and bounds, Roosevelt purchased the Albert A. Robin campus in Schaumburg in 1995. Opened in 1996, this 33-acre campus has attained a 3,000+ student population and acquired the distinction of being known as the largest university in the northwest suburbs.

This one-level, red brick and stone building now houses 61 computer-ready classrooms, state-of-the-art computer facilities and science labs, and an electronic library with access to the downtown campus database. Offering small, flexible classes and providing first-class student amenities, this full-service, independently staffed campus carries on the tradition of excellence that Roosevelt University is known for.

Starting as a shift engineer on afternoons, Tom has worked for Roosevelt University owners for the past 18 years. He has occupied the position of Chief Engineer for sixteen of those years and hopes to do so for many more. A good working relationship with owners who rely on him and trust his judgement should help facilitate that goal. When he's not at work he spends his free time fishing, hunting, and enjoying life in Oak Forest as a newlywed with his wife, Kim, and stepson, Andrew.

What does the future hold for Roosevelt University? Only good things. Major infrastructure and building improvements will change the way Roosevelt looks on the outside. While on the inside, nothing will change. Roosevelt University will continue to offer a quality educational program meeting the diverse needs of its student body well into the future.

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