In the fall of 1968, East Carolina University began the demolition of Old Austin (the original Administration Building), one of the four remaining original campus buildings. Officials intended to replace the “structurally unsound” Austin Building with a new Fine Arts Center.1 In May of 1973, the Board of Trustees voted to name the new center in honor of Chancellor Leo W. Jenkins, who exhibited a history of championing athletics and the arts.2
By September of 1974, Jenkins Fine Arts Center proved structurally complete to the point of opening the two-story structure for classes. Officials scheduled the second phase of the construction process to begin that December.3 In the fall of 1992, a 900 square-foot senior exhibition space was added to the Gray Art Gallery in Jenkins.
Leo W. Jenkins, served East Carolina for thirty-one years, first as Dean, then President, and finally Chancellor (having guided the college through gaining university status). During his tenure Jenkins oversaw the establishment of several professional schools including those in Art, Education, and Nursing. He also played a pivotal role in the founding of a four-year fully accredited School of Medicine.4
- Built
- 1973 to 1977
- Construction cost
- $4.2 million
- Gross sq. ft.
- 109,994
- Assignable sq. ft.
- 77,678
- Architects
- Odell & Associates, Charlotte, NC
- Namesake
- Leo W. Jenkins (May 28, 1913 – January 14, 1989) obtained a BS degree from Rutgers University, an MA at Columbia University and a D.ED at New York University. He came to East Carolina University in the fall of 1947, as dean. After serving in the US Marine Corps during WWII, he had been professor of Political Science at Montclair State Teachers College and Assistant to the Commissioner of Higher Education in New Jersey. He was elected president of ECU on January 1st, 1960. Dr. Jenkins retired in 1978 after a distinguished career which included getting the medical school at ECU.
- History
- This building was erected on the site of Old Austin and its neighbor Wilson Hall, which were demolished to make room available for its construction. It was dedicated April 24, 1977. This modern Brick structure features large open glass bay windows, and a circular stairwell. It was constructed in two phases and contains a total of 142,000 square feet. Located on Fifth Street, it currently houses the School of Art and the Wellington B. Gray Art Gallery. A more complete description of the building may be found at Leo W. Jenkins Art Building, East Carolina University
- Additions
- 1999 – October 23rd, Irwin Belk Foundry dedicated. Foundry and pirate sculpture created using $100,000 gift from Irwin Belk.
1994 – new art gallery built-funded by Burroughs-Wellcome
1993 – security system installed
1984 – installation of dust collecting ducts
1981 – repair concrete entrance ramp
Additional Related Material
Sources
1 “Upon the Past,” East Magazine, Fall 2008, http://www.ecu.edu/cs-admin/mktg/east/Fall-2008-Upon-the-Past.cfm.
2 “New Art Building Ready for Classes,” Fountainhead, Vol. 6, No.3, 17 September 1974; “The Leo Effect: Jenkins honored by UNC Board of Governors,” ECU News Services, http://www.ecu.edu/news/Leo-Jenkins-Legacy.cfm.
3 Fountainhead Vol. 6, No. 3, 17 September 1974.
4 Batten, In Retrospect, p. 49.