William Tight was the originator of the pueblo style architecture for our campus buildings.
Education
Dr. Tight received his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Denison University and his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago in 1901.
Career
William Tight was a Professor of Geology at Denison University for a period of fourteen years prior to his arrival at the University.
University Activities
Many progressive strides were taken during the term of Dr. Tight. In 1903, the Board of Regents provided for a sabbatical leave of absence for Faculty members.
The 1904 Commencement was the first appearance of full College regalia for faculty members with the seniors donning caps and gowns.
Fraternity life was officially introduced on campus as Alpha Alpha Alpha. The fraternity began after being earlier "organized" as the Yum Yum Society. The estufa was built for these fraternity meetings.
Sorority life began on campus as Sigma Sigma. The sorority was chartered here. It began as the Minnehaha Society Club. The chapter was allotted a room in the Main Building furnished and papered in their colors of green and white.
The first professional librarian in the territory was employed for the library room.
The President was injured in an explosion in February 1906 making oxygen in Hadley Hall and bore scars of this the rest of his life.
Dr. Tight decided to adopt pueblo style architecture for future buildings and this concept was supported by many prominent visitors to the campus. Thus, the first building constructed under the new plan was the central heating plant built in 1905. The President visited many pueblos photographing various details so our buildings would be authentic.
The University created quite a sensation at The Territorial Fair Exhibit when their exhibit featured its own building of pueblo architecture standing 40 by 80 feet and 50 feet high.
In spite of his many accomplishments, Dr. Tight was dismissed from the University in April, 1909, and died shortly thereafter in January, 1910. |
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