Jones Tower
After graduating from North High School in Columbus, Lawrence Donald Jones enrolled in 1919 in the College of Engineering at Ohio State. In 1923, he earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. And in 1924 he joined the faculty, a position he held for 37 years. He was made a full professor in 1943, and served as the Secretary for the College of Engineering from 1929 to 1958.
During World War II he served as Coordinator of the Army Specialized Training Program at OSU. In 1954, Professor Jones was appointed Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, and held that position for five years, later serving in the Office of the President. He was characterized as a man who exemplified quiet leadership: doing what needed be done without thought to personal gain or recognition. He died in 1961. A year later, on September 7, 1962, the Board of Trustees approved a plan to build a new dorm on the north side of the campus and agreed that it should be named Jones Tower in his honor.
The Trustees changed the name to “Jones Graduate Tower” on May 12, 1966. Construction ended in August 1969, and graduate students, both men and women, moved into the tower that autumn. A swimming pool was added in 1970, and opened that December. The building underwent renovations from June 2009 to September 2010. Currently, the dorm houses undergraduate students, so in February 2011 the Board of Trustees changed the name back to Jones Tower to reflect its current purpose.
more information:
John H. Herrick Archives: Jones Tower
