Iowa
State University Alumni Association| online edition | fall 2002
FALL 2002
Home
Cover
Story:
>>The Knoll
- The beginning
- A daughter's memories
- Turning points
- Presidents and their families at the Knoll
- A daughter's memories
- First lady
- Behind the scenes at the Knoll
Departments:
Getting Started
Letters
On Campus
Alumni Profile
Association News
Giving
Sports
The Knoll: Welcoming the Iowa State family for 100 years
It is unusual to find a 100-year-old building on Iowa State’s campus that is currently being used for the purpose for which it was originally intended. In fact, the Campanile and the Knoll are the only two to fall in that category.
But that doesn’t mean the Knoll hasn’t evolved. Originally meant only as a personal home for the college’s president, today the first floor of the old manor has become a kind of home to the entire university family. Already this year, 7,000 alumni, faculty, students, and friends have attended meetings, receptions, and meals at the Knoll. Once the main floor was filled with the presidents’ romping kids and dogs; today, every stately piece of furniture and art is catalogued by University Museums.
Like many historical buildings, the Knoll almost disappeared. Thirty-seven years ago, the Board of Regents gave it the thumbs down. It was old, it was a mess, and it didn’t serve its purpose very well.
Today, it is unthinkable that the Knoll would not be a part of Iowa State’s traditions. But its secure place has not come without deliberation, evolution, and care.
Read on | The beginning