Buildings on USU: Family Life and the Gun Shed
In 1888, Utah State University had its humble beginnings as a state land-grant institution — the primary purpose of which was to educate the state on agricultural matters.
Since then, programs and colleges have been added to diversify USU. The introduction of new programs and degrees has caused for a sundry infrastructure to exist on campus: ranging from beloved Old Main to the innovative Huntsman Business building.
Kiddie-corner to Old Main rests the Family Life (FL) building — perhaps one of the most interesting facilities of USU.
The Family Life building was constructed in 1935 and was one of 230 public works building constructed from the 30s to 40s under the New Deal program. It’s one of the most well-preserved of these New Deal buildings. The building’s architects were Leslie Hodgson and Myrl McClenahan, two men who worked on several projects throughout Ogden. Hodgson was famous for his use of Art Deco architecture — a feature unique to the Family Life building. The purpose of which is to create a sleek, nontraditional feel of wealth and refinement. When one walks into the building, there is an inclination to feel as though one has been transported to the 1920s as a character in the “Great Gatsby.”
Darin Brooks, an associate professor in the interior design department, said Art Deco was meant to create an overall feeling of sophistication.
The FL building was built to house the College of Home Economics, part of the art department and health department, a cafeteria and hub for all student activities. Back in the 30s, the project was very important to university because of serious fire hazards existed in the cafeteria and Old Main. Those fire hazards have since been taken care of.
The College of Home Economics was changed to the College of Family Life in 1959; this college however was dissolved by USU’s President in 2002. The college’s departments were scattered and absorbed into various other colleges. The department of family and consumer science went to the College of Agriculture, family, consumer and human development went to the College of Education, and the department of interior design was eventually absorbed into the Caine College of the Arts.
Those aforementioned programs still call the Family Life building their home and have created their unique niche and impact the campus in their own ways.
“We study relationships, we have people that are known nationally and internationally for their work in gerontology, and the study of adolescent and early child education and family life education,” said Scot Allgood, department head of family, consumer and human development.
Allgood said the program houses one of the better family therapy training programs in the nation.
The family, consumer and human department also attracts students from several different majors with its gerontology (study of aging) certificate program. They also sponsor and support a variety of community programs through cooperative extension and several different community agencies that are offered in jails. This means the department’s family life education programs can be found all over the state. Moreover, according to Allgood, students can earn a complete bachelor’s degree online; as a result, the department has a large concentration of students in Germany.
Overall, the department has about 750 students. Allgood said with a chuckle, “We have a bigger department than some entire colleges.”
On the bottom level of the FL building is the Adele and Dale Young Child Development Lab — a preschool many students know essentially nothing about. The lab is an extension of the department of family, consumer and human development, and as the teachers say, is special.
Katie Cox is a teacher for the child development lab — for both college students and preschool students, and she has been teaching there for three semesters.
“It’s so different from any other regular preschool that you would find in the valley,” she said. “What pre-school can have 20 students with six teachers? This layout that we have is very play-base, and we really encourage social development and learning through discovery and curiosity. We have so many resources here.”
The child development lab not only draws differences in its teaching model, but also in the fact that the outside play area borders the campus’s Gunshed.
The Gunshed, located behind the FL building, is a building constructed in the 1890s that used to house an armory kept by the military science department. Unfortunately, no known armory is kept on campus and the Gunshed has been converted into a number of classrooms for the FL building and an art studio for the interior design program.
The studio is a centerpiece for the students in the program. It’s a space for work and creativity, and students in the program split much of their time between this studio and FL building.
“It makes me feel connected to history,” said Kadeeja Niang, a sophomore in interior design. “Everything is full of history, the windows, just everything is full of history and I love it… it is inspiring.”
Though the students and facility love the old feel of the FL building, as one enters the top floor of the FL building, they will experience a different feel from the previous floors. The top floor is a unique blend of the building’s old feel and modern redesign. Interior design projects line the wall and in the corner is the interior design program’s office — which has a design that is completely in contrast to the rest of the building. However, like the other programs in the building, interior design produces much to be proud of.
Darrin Brooks, associate professor of interior design, bragged about the students in the programs who, year after year, bring in design awards and graduate with LEAD accreditation — a sustainability certificate from the United States Green Building Council. Alumni from the program even kept their jobs during the economic recession.
“The students are cutting edge,” Brooks said.
The program, accredited in the early 90s, is the oldest Council of Interior Design Association accredited program in the state of Utah.
“(The Program) has the opportunity to change people’s lives…” Brooks said. “Whether it’s a house or a business, it’s about helping a business become more profitable, helping them maximize their goals. All these things tie into why the program is important. I think we all know the difference of the space or environment that doesn’t have that type planning and designing forethought in it.”
The design program has been instrumental in not only changing the environment of the FL building but also the feel of the other buildings and areas around campus. Members of the program have helped on projects including the Ray B. West building next door, Center for Women and Gender Studies and the interior of the performance hall in the business building.
When asked about how they feel about the FL building, many people mentioned how it was indeed old, but said that facilities kept everything up well.
“(The building) could use some tender loving care. But it’s important that we maintain and keep history alive,” Brooks said.
Chris Anderson, a senior in family, consumer and human development, agreed
“I think it’s a nice building to be in,” he said. “I feel comfortable. A lot of the professors I’ve had are really friendly and work with me. It’s a great building.”
The FL building builds on an unique legacy, but continues to be great because of who’s in it. In it, there has been created a culture of exceptional learning, award winning programs and great performance.
— Dillanpassmore@aggiemail.usu.edu
@Dirtyghettopass