Speight Building

Image source: https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/51879

Construction on this structure commenced in 1964 and the facility opened to students in 1965. Initially referred to as the Education-Psychology Building, East Carolina dedicated the facility in honor of the late J. Brantley and Carrie G. Speight (founders of Speight Seed Farms, Inc.) on February 17, 1974.¹ Speight Building is a three-story, four-wing, cruciform-shaped, pinwheel classroom and office structure with a partial basement. This concrete-framed structure is located at the east end of the northern portion of campus and has a listed area of 50,562 gross square feet.²

Speight housed the ECU Testing Center throughout the 1970s, providing for the administration of several tests including the: National Teacher Examination, Miller Analogies Test, Graduate Record Examination, Medical College Admission Test, Graduate Management Admission Test, Law School Admission Test, Allied Health Professions Test, Scholastic Aptitude Test, American College Testing, Dental Admission Test, and the Pharmacy College Admission Test.³

Other names

Education & Psychology Building

Built

1965

Construction cost

$480,824

Gross sq. ft.

50,562

Assignable sq. ft.

31,450

Architects

R.N. Rouse & Co., Goldsboro, NC

Namesake

J. Brantley (1914-1971) and Carrie Gardner Speight (1904-1972) were residents of Pitt County. Brantley graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in agriculture. With his degree and the help of his wife, they established the Speight Seed Farm. They were recognized as the first producers and distributors of hybrid seed corn, as well as new outstanding tobacco varieties. Brantley was a significant leader in various agriculture organizations, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Consolidated University of North Carolina. In addition to assisting Brantley with farming Carrie played an active role in community activities.

History

Located on Fifth Street, this yellow brick classroom building houses the School of Education and offices of the ECU Teaching Fellows Program, the Model Clinical Teaching Program, and ENCCARE. It contains 22 classrooms, 45 offices, testing rooms, laboratories and related facilities. The building was dedicated on February 17, 1974.
1992 – the Reading Room was named after Professor Emeritus Keith Holmes

1993 – James W. Batten Conference Room dedicated (Room 129)

Additions

1980 – elevator installed for ADA compliancy
1998 – cooling tower replaced
1998-99 – added computer technology and hook-ups to most classrooms

Sources
¹ [Dedication of the J. Brantley and Carrie G. Speight Building Program, 1974]. Records of Leo W. Jenkins. UA02. University Archives, Greenville, NC; “The Education-Psychology Building,” Fountainhead, Vol. 5, No.36, 19 Feb 1974. ² “Speight Building Facility Analysis,” http://www.ecu.edu/cs-admin/campus_operations/facilities/customcf/ises/HSC/BSPEI.pdf, accessed June 21, 2016. ³ ECU Catalog 1978-1979.