Image source: https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/22889
This three-story brick classroom building stands near the site of the school’s original baseball diamond. Constructed in 1964, it now houses the Department of Math and a 24-hour computer lab for students. The low wall in front of the entrance facing the bookstore is a popular gathering place for students between classes. Herbert E. Austin served as a professor of geography and was one of the school’s original faculty members.
- Built
- 1964
- Construction cost
- $970,000
- Gross sq. ft.
- 63,110
- Assignable sq. ft.
- 39,577
- Architects
- A.J. Maxwell Jr., Goldsboro, NC
- Namesake
- Herbert E. Austin (1866-1929), a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, taught at ECTTS as a professor of Science and Geography from 1909 to 1929 and was the school’s acting dean. He was a charter member of the faculty.
- History
- The “New” Austin building was constructed on the former college baseball field, just east of Rawl Building. The three-story, concrete, brick, and steel building contains 40 classrooms, 60 faculty offices and two seminar rooms. A computer center for a mainframe computer is housed in Austin. Remote terminals in the other campus buildings are connected to the mainframe computer for purposes of registration, student financial records, research, and student training. It also contains the Mathematics Department.
- Additions
- 1965 – The Arthur D. Frank Seminar room was dedicated on the third floor. Dr. Frank joined the faculty in September 1924 and was chair of the Social Studies department until his retirement in November 1957.
1969 – ECU Chimes were installed in Austin. The chimes were a gift to the university from the Class of 1969 and played the Alma Mater at noon each day. The chimes have since been removed from the building.