Each day when I walk around campus, I often think about the rich history Ole Miss has. Take for instance the names on the buildings. Who were those people?
As a member of the University Communications staff, I work in Sam-Gerard Hall. According to Gerald Walton’s book, “The University of Mississippi: A Pictorial History,” the buildings were both constructed in 1948. Originally two separate buildings, the former men’s dormitories were combined when renovated to house the university’s publishing and publications offices.
Walton wrote that Sam Hall was dedicated to Billy Sam, a soldier who was killed in action during World War II. After further research, I discovered more about the buildings surrounding mine. The University’s Telecommunication website states that all the men’s dorms built in 1948, which were four total including Lester and Baxter Halls, were named after prominent alums who died in “The Great War.”
Drane Lester was a Rhodes Scholar while Billy Sam, Herman Baxter and Gus Gerard served as student body presidents. Then State Sen. John Kyle made remarks at the dedication ceremony held in November 1949, and you can view a bust of 1st Lt. Herman Baxter at http://olemiss.edu/depts/telecommunications/history.html.
One last interesting note about Sam Hall is that in the 1970s it was sometimes used as a haunted house. Considering all the staircases and the expansive lower level, I can imagine all the scared coeds that came through here on fall October evenings.