Year Built: 1963

Purpose: Academic Building

 

The Nobel Hall of Science is, apart from Old Main, the landmark academic building on campus.  Its origins go back to the 1950s when the college was in another period of growth and there was more and more demand for upgraded science facilities.  The science departments were housed on the top floor of Old Main and the facilities were less than outstanding.  The college also wanted to build its reputation as a college promoting the sciences.

    The hall was eventually finished in time for the 1963 school year at a cost of $1.5 million.  The completion facilitated the move of the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Physics into the new Noble Hall.  It is a large building in a dominant spot on the campus mall.  Its distinguishing feature is the large bas relief on the front façade that was carved by the chair of the Gustavus Art department at the time, Don Gregory.

    The name “Nobel” is a distinction that was not shared by any other building in the United States and is authorized by the Nobel Estate.  In honor of the name, 27 Nobel Laureates were on hand for the dedication ceremony on May 4, 1963 and Seaborg and Bunche gave addresses.  That same year, a delegation from Gustavus was invited to the Nobel Prize ceremony and it was there that the Nobel Estate allowed the use of the Nobel name for the Nobel conference.

    1997 saw a $7 million dollar renovation and addition to the building.  This was done to update the ever changing face of science and add more lab space due to the Physics department moving into Olin Hall.  More labs, offices and classrooms were added to better promote the college’s already good reputation in the sciences.