Evening star., 1924-10-29
100000 BUILDING OF C.. ". u.
IS FORMALLY DEDICATED
COrcoran Hall, Home OF Arts and Sciences Depart
menf, Turned Over to Institution With Impressive
Ceremonies-7O Receire Degrees.

Corcoran Hall. the new recitation
and laboratory building of George
Washington University, located on
Twenty first street between G and II.
and recently erected at cost Of
$3O0,0O0, was presented to William
Mather Lewis. president Of the uni
NerSity last night. by John IS. Larner.
president of the board of trustees, and
dedicated "to the uses and purposes
of the department OF arts and sci
enccS." Preceding these exercises. 20
candidates were awarded degrees in
the convOcation exercises presided
over by Mr.. Lewis.
The four-story structure. another
step in the development of a greater
univt rsity here. was appropriately
named Corcoran Hall after William
Wilson CorCoran. the university's
greatest patron and a former preSI-
dent of the board of trustees. George
Washington University patrons.
friends, alumni and officials. as we'll
as large gathering OF those who
had taken part in the recent build
ing and endowment campaign. We're
present.
Mr.. Larncr'S Address.
Mr.. Larner. in presenting the new
building to DR. Lewis on behalf of
The board of trustees. gave an out
line of the life and public acts OF
William Wilson Corroran. his devo-
tion to the university and his efforts
on its behalf. Mr.. Larner said:
This delivery OF keys does not
mean that we are investing our good
president and his assosiatCs with the
legal title This symbolic delivery OF
the keys means added responsibility
for the maintenance of the university
in the high standards OF morals and
scholarship which a university must
have
LAS trustees We pledge TO you, Mr..
President, and your associates our
continued support and wish YOU abund-
ant success in your important work.
Il wish to extend grateful ac-
knowlegc :nent on behalf of the trus-
tees, faculties ard student body of
the university to the generous public
that has. during the recent canvass
TOR funds for the building and endow-
ment fund, contributed sufficient
money to make possible the erection
of this magnificent building.
President Lewis Accepts.
Mr.. Lewis. in accepting the keys.
said: We accept from you the keys
with deep appreciation of the re
sponSibility and the opportunity sug-
geSted by these symbols 1t is re
Sponsibility and an opportunity con
nected not only with the name ana
the honor OF great university. but
with the name and the service of ii
great public benefactur. who served
not only his own time and generation
well, hut through the wisdom Oi h.s
benefactionS made life richer ana
fuller for generations Vet to come.
The name of William Wilson Cor
coran over the doorway Of this strur-
ruer and his portrait within its walls
will be d constant inspiration to service
I'VE accept, sir, these keys with
renewed pledg" Of loyalty /" the
ideals of education tor citizenship
ciunciated in the early days Of our
republic by George Washing ton.
Mr. Cor.-orar Il ..G.r2at Citizen
Characterizing Mr.. C"-coran as a
great citizen Of Washington" Mr..
Iarner in his presentation and dedi-
cation speech, gave a COmprt henSINe
review of the life Of George Wash
ington'S patron. citing his successful
business career. which began IN
Georgetown. He was born in George
town December -, l7S", the son of
Thomas Curcuran. who came to this
country from ireland in 1883 and who
was one of the founders Of George
WASHINGTON University and IA trustee
during his life.
Mr.. Corcoran retired from bust
ness in lN54,& said the speaker, and
devoted his entire time aud talents
TO the mana cement of his own private
.cstate. Fram that time until his
death. February -. 1883, he added to
his large estate and used much Of his
income and principal in founding
and supporting numerous philanthropic
works, among which may be men
toned the Louise Home and the Cor
coran Gallery OF Art.
Monuments TO His Memory.
The Louise Home, established in
memory OF his Wife and daughter
was erected in 1863 and opened for
the reception of limited number of
gentlewomen who have been reduced
by misfortune, on April II. 1871.
The Corcoran Gallery of Art was
chartered by Congress in 1870.
These two institutions stand to-
day as monuments to the memory of
this great citizen of Washington.
MIR. Corcoran was elected a trustee
in 1869 and served aS such until 1888,
the year OF his death. He was also
president of the board for the same
period of time.
He was close friend of President
yelling. and it was undoubtedly
through this, friendship and his in
fuence that the largest single gift
the institution has ever received was
given to it. In add tion to this one
gift that has always been known as
the Corcoran endowment fund, it is
understood that frequently he gave
small or moderately large amounts