Alumni Hall

Alumni Hall was one of the most interesting buildings that has ever stood on St Bonaventure's campus. It was one of the first academic buildings on campus, however it held far more than just classrooms or labs. The building was eventually deconstructed in 1961 after muich of what it contained had been improved upon on other parts of the campus.

While there is no exact cost listed for the construction of Alumni hall, there is a major donation listed at $11,560. The building was one of two (major) academic buildings on campus, because at the time of it’s construction, the college was still operating as a full time seminary school as well. It contained a library before the construction of the library in 1938 which is basis of the photos of students forming a long chain to bring the books from Alumni Hall, to the Friedsam Library. Among other rooms listed in Alumni Hall throughout it’s existence, there’s a gym, labs for the sciences, an auditorium, study rooms, and even rooms for practicing golf or playing Billiards. Supposedly Alumni Hall was the birthplace of the bunt as well by John McGraw and Hugh Jennings. Unfortunately for Bonaventure baseball history, this is not true, however it is quite possible and actually probable that those two St Bonaventure baseball legends practiced together in that gym. The building was finally deconstructed in 1961.   

Alumni Hall , SBU Archives . Accessed December 8th 2021. http://archives.sbu.edu/studentpages/buildings/Alumni%20Hall.htm.