Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: News
What's in a name? A lot, say profs, alums
Community reacts negatively to Logan Hall name change
Cecily Wu
Although naming buildings after donors has become a common practice, Beeman said that it's unusual to completely rename a building when buildings can have hyphenated names recognizing both the original name and that of the most recent donor, such as Steinberg-Dietrich Hall.
Students and alumni also raised concerns that renaming Logan Hall would erase the history of the building.
Ronald Shur, a 1977 Wharton graduate, said that Penn should observe the history and tradition of the University because the building is an "icon … not a whiteboard that you can constantly erase."
Despite the name change, students said that next fall they will continue to refer to the buildings as Logan Hall because of the name's longevity.
"It feels like [the building] already has a name, and the students have known the building as Logan Hall for the past 100 years," College senior Monica Toledo said.
"It doesn't make any sense to rename it," said College sophomore Kelly Allred. "It's unacceptable."
Students and alumni also raised concerns that renaming Logan Hall would erase the history of the building.
Ronald Shur, a 1977 Wharton graduate, said that Penn should observe the history and tradition of the University because the building is an "icon … not a whiteboard that you can constantly erase."
Despite the name change, students said that next fall they will continue to refer to the buildings as Logan Hall because of the name's longevity.
"It feels like [the building] already has a name, and the students have known the building as Logan Hall for the past 100 years," College senior Monica Toledo said.
"It doesn't make any sense to rename it," said College sophomore Kelly Allred. "It's unacceptable."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 18
dum diddy doo
posted 3/27/08 @ 10:07 AM EST
How's for a compromise - LoCo.
Jake Harkness
posted 3/27/08 @ 10:08 AM EST
This renaming of an historic campus building is a terrible idea, and those involved in approving it should be ashamed of themselves and rescind the decision at once. (Continued…)
JJ
posted 3/27/08 @ 12:35 PM EST
No disrespect, but I think that this is a horrible idea. Could a lecture hall be named in her honor instead? The frequent renaming of buildings, especially these past few years, has been far too awkward and confusing. (Continued…)
Stan
posted 3/27/08 @ 1:40 PM EST
We, who at times have inferiority complexes in comparison to HYP and others, now will have to endure showing off Claudia Cohen Hall to friends and visitors. (Continued…)
An observation
posted 3/27/08 @ 1:58 PM EST
Why aren't more people attacking Ronald Perelman? He is the one who requested the name change...if it weren't for his selfishness, it wouldn't even be an issue. (Continued…)
Stan
posted 3/27/08 @ 2:21 PM EST
I shudder to think what's next - Attending a basketball game at the
Donny Deutsch-estra?
Alum
posted 3/27/08 @ 2:24 PM EST
While I understand the administration's need for donations to fuel the great rise of our University, the incessant changing of landmark campus buildings will do more damage to the University in the long run. (Continued…)
It's not a concert/sports venue
posted 3/27/08 @ 2:25 PM EST
The donation and the individual should be highly honored, no question.
Look at the Philly stadium complex. I can't name them. The old Spectrum? The old FU Center? How about the E Center, I mean Tweeter, I mean Susquehanna Bank. (Continued…)
Alum
posted 3/27/08 @ 2:34 PM EST
Claudia Cohen was a gossip columnist, was Ron Perelman's second wife of four. They divorced after 9 years and Cohen received $80M in settlements. Please, someone in the Moral Philosophy program housed in Logan Hall, step up and explain that it would be a smirch on Penn's name to have one of our most prominent academic buildings named after a gossip columnist and a Manhattan socialite. (Continued…)
Alum
posted 3/27/08 @ 3:10 PM EST
Why not Steve Wynn University?
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