1930 Nease Hall, the building most often identified with the Pasadena campus, is constructed

The College had been in Pasadena for nearly twenty years but did not have a permanent concrete or brick building. What should be done?

President Nease sensed this great need for a building worthy of the College. The wooden buildings had been very useful to the school for two decades and, for that matter, would continue so for some time to come. The old dictum, that Mark Hopkins at one end of a log and a student at the other constituted a college, is a beautiful thought. Suitable buildings and facilities, however, are of great importance to a college if it is to function properly.

So it is to the thoughtful leadership of Dr. Nease that the College owes its first permanent building. It is true, the times, financially, were unpropitious for such an undertaking. It would seem, however, that the erection of the Bresee Memorial Administration Building became not only a fulfillment of a very definite need, but also became a symbol-a symbol of courage and daring faith. From the ashes of discouragement would arise a Phoenix, a token of victory and a prophecy of a highly considered and a fully accredited college that was to be.

The administration building was erected in 1930, and was constructed of reinforced concrete with the dimensions of fifty by one hundred fifty feet. It is of Mediterranean style of architecture, is three stories in height and is surmounted by a clock tower which dominates the campus.

The new structure was not dedicated free of debt, and, since times were financially stringent, there was to be a considerable strain in carrying this new economic load. President Nease, of course, felt the weight of this burden, as well as the usual load of the mortgage and current school expenses. While the cavernous hole for the first floor of the administration building was deepening, he turned to his colleague, Rev. Glenn Siefarth, and said, "I wonder if that hole will bury me too."

The President was not to be buried in that hole. On the contrary, he was honored at the commencement of 1931 by having conferred upon him by the College, the degree of Doctor of Divinity.

From The History of Pasadena College, by J. Proctor Knott



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