What is the price of your history? Is there a dollar amount associated with your past? Most people would answer “no” to both questions. Why then are we asked to put a price tag on Iowa State University’s history? I am speaking about the fate of Morrill Hall, and President Geoffroy’s call for suggestions as to where we go from here.

Few people on this campus even know of the historic significance of Morrill Hall, named to honor Sen. Justin Morrill and his bill known as the Morrill Act. In 1862, President Lincoln signed the Act, establishing the land-grant college system. Iowa was the first state to accept the terms of the Morrill Act, making Iowa State University the first chartered land-grant institution in the nation.

This once stately beauty now sits in a state of distress. Years of neglect impacted the structure significantly. Shellie Orngard of the Ames Historic Preservation Commission says that the preservation of this significant piece of history is of great interest to members of the Ames community. Current estimates say the cost of restoration is between $8 and $9 million. For perspective (or to induce bias), they say a new building of its size, with similar functionality, would be about $5 million. But I ask you, is our history worth only $3 to $4 million?

New bricks, beams, girders and glass can never fill in the history that this building has witnessed. A new building would pale in comparison to the richness and beauty of the original. The benefits that Morrill Hall offers this campus are far too intrinsic, too intangible, to be placed in terms of “bottom-dollar calculations.” Some might say that because of our national status as the first chartered land-grant institution, we have a duty to preserve this monument. A new building might be able to occupy the same physical space as Morrill Hall, but could never occupy its place in our history. I suggest we restore Morrill Hall as home to a diversity center on campus. As we seek to increase the diversity of students, ideas and perspectives on this campus, why not have a building associated with educational opportunity be a focus of that commitment? We could honor both this Hall’s history and that of our students, faculty and staff.

This center could supports diversity of all forms, not just racial and ethnic, but also cultural, disability, gender and sexual identity. This would appeal to a wide range of students, faculty, staff and alumni. The Alumni Association has begun to look at “special interest alumni” groups which would provide much of the needed funding.

Let’s save this piece of our history, this symbol of our commitment to education. As the university “Challenges Us to Be Our Best” let’s not forget who we are. E-mail savemorrill [email protected] for information on how to help preserve Morrill Hall.

Todd Herriott

LGBTAA Advisor

Coordinator, Disability Resources