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Rooms and Spaces
Willey Library and Learning Center
BABCOCK NATURE PRESERVE
Located in Eden, VT, the Babcock Nature Preserve is a 1,000-acre area of forest that serves as an outdoor laboratory for field biology, ornithology and environmental science courses. The area also contains a bog and three ponds. In addition to serving as a beautiful site for student learning and research, the Babcock Nature Preserve is open to the public. The preserve is named for Robert and Anne Babcock, who donated the tract to the Vermont State Colleges in 1974. Robert Babcock was the first provost of the Vermont State Colleges, a member of the Vermont House of Representatives, and a lieutenant governor of Vermont serving under Governor Robert Stafford.
DEWEY HALL
1867 Room
Location: Dewey Hall
Background: 1867 is an important year in the history of this institution because it is the year it became a State Normal School, one of three teacher training schools established by the Vermont Legislature. The precursor institutions were Johnson Academy (1828-1836) and Lamoille County Grammar School (1836-1867). The Grammar School* was also colloquially called "Johnson Academy" and "Lamoille Academy." In 1947, it became Johnson Teachers College and in 1961, Johnson State College.
Date: This room in Dewey was named in September 2008.
Emma K. Thompson Seminar Room
Location: Dewey Hall
Plaque reads: Emma K. Thompson Seminar Room, Named in honor of Emma Thompson, Assistant to the Dean of Students 1969 to 2008. Placed December 2008
Background: Emma Thompson retired upon reaching her fortieth anniversary of service to the college in early 2009. A reception in her honor and the dedication of the Emma K. Thompson Seminar Room was held on December 5, 2008, with faculty, staff, students, retired staff and faculty, and alumni in attendance. Emma was literally the only person to have held her position at JSC, having been hired by Freda Hebb to serve as the initial secretary to the dean (her title later became staff assistant) in 1969. During her tenure, Emma worked with nineteen deans of students and eight Presidents. The class of 1988 dedicated their yearbook to her, noting in part "Emma’s warm and cheery smile, her willingness to listen and her yearly jelly bean contest make her a tradition at our college. If Emma can’t tell you the answer to your question, probably no one can." Emma received the Freda Hebb Award, the College’s highest honor for staff members, in 1989. In her time at JSC, Emma assisted countless students, staff, and faculty. Her legacy is significant.
Date: December 2008
Howard South Lawn Lounge
Location: Dewey Hall
Plaque reads: Named in honor of the contributions of Sandra Buck Howard ’75.
Date: Spring 2009
Vickers Community Room
Location: Dewey Hall
Plaque reads: Named in honor of the contributions of Donald R. Vickers ’70.
Date: Summer 2009
DIBDEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Julian Scott Gallery & Exhibition on his Life
Location: ground floor of Dibden (Right Wing)
Background: Julian Scott, Vermont’s renowned Civil War artist, was born in Johnson in 1846 and attended JSC’s precursor institution, the Lamoille County Grammar School.** The art gallery in Dibden is named in his honor; two exhibit cases outside the gallery chronicle his life and art.
Date: Dedicated September 1989
Rachel Bissex Room
Location: Dibden Center for the Arts, second floor
Plaque reads: This room named in memory of Rachel Bissex ’82, noted folk artist, singer, and songwriter. December 1956 - February 2005. Dedicated September 24, 2005
Date: September 24, 2005
WILLEY LIBRARY AND LEARNING CENTER (LLC)
Audio Visual Booth 1
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library, first floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Lawrence E. Ackerson, Class of 1980, in memory of his parents, Frederick and Laura Ackerson.
Date: September 8, 2000
Audio Visual Booth 2
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library, first floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Lawrence E. Ackerson, Class of 1980, in honor of his grandsons, Sampson Edward Ackerson and David J. Ackerson.
Date: September 8, 2000
Audio Visual Booth 3
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library, first floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Kent H. Strobel, Class of 1977, in memory of his parents Albert and Eleanor Strobel.
Date: September 8, 2000
Children's Reading Room
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Given in honor of Alice G. Whiting
Plaque reads: Named in Honor of Alice G. Whiting, Professor of Education at JSC since 1965, Dedicated October 4, 1997.
Date: October 1997
Computer Lab
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC)- second floor
Plaque reads: Named in recogntion of the donations of Peter and Evelyn Fuss.
Date: December 2000
Crescent Bay Staircase
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library - ground floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donations of Emma Thompson and George Desmarais.
Date: September 8, 2000
East Bay
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library- second floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donations of Sharon's Group of Campus Community Friends.
Background: Sharon Burns was on the JSC Physical Plant staff from 1971-2003, and was responsible for the beauty of the College’s flower gardens and plantings, among other duties.
Date: September 8, 2000
Ellsworth Rooms
The Ellsworth Seminar Rooms are named in honor of Professor Emeritus Robert Alden Ellsworth, who taught history and government at Johnson State College from 1957 to 1973. In May 1990, the Vermont State Colleges awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Professor Ellsworth passed away at the age of 86 on April 12, 1994. He founded the Ellsworth Trust, a private foundation that enriches higher education and the study of political science and history at JSC through scholarships for undergraduates, annual lectures which bring visiting scholars to campus, grants to fund multicultural events, and travel grants for students and alumni.
Faculty Librarian’s Office
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: “Named in honor of Kenneth Raymond, Professor of History Emeritus and JSC Librarian 1962 until 1970.”
Background: At the request of JSC President Eric R. Gilbertson, Ken Raymond researched and wrote The History of Johnson State College 1828-1984. This book remains a valuable, singular source for the history of the first century and a half of the institution. In the preface, he wrote that the project was ...a rewarding opportunity to present the many faces of the college — academic, administrative, and student life — and the community and political developments that have shaped the college."
John Lord Seminar Rooms
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: John E. Lord Seminar Rooms, named in grateful recognition of 27 years of distinguished service to the college, 1977 - 2004, on the occasion of his retirement after 21 years as registrar.
Date: June 2004
Kelly Student Newspaper Office
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Third Floor
Plaque reads: Named in honor of the contributions of Professor Emeritus John and Barbara Duffy and Family, in memory of her father, journalist William J. Kelly.
Date: Spring 2009
Lower Crescent Bay
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library - second floor
Plaque reads: Named in honor of the memory of Ruth Robinson Lombard, Class of 1934, in recognition of the donations of her family.
Date: September 8, 2000
Main Circulation Desk
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library- ground floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Smugglers' Notch Resort.
Date: September 8, 2000
Main Spiral Staircase
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in honor of Cecilia Pantel, as a continuing gift of books in her honor by her daughter Katherine Killam, Class of 1988.
Date: September 8, 2000
Marcia Stewart Chesborough Children’s Book Collection
Location: Book Collection in the Children’s Reading Room
Plaque reads: Given in memory of Marcia Chesborough by her family and friends, in recognition of her love of life, children, and books. Dedicated October 4, 1997.
Date: October, 1997
Media Arts Research Annex
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC) - ground floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Larry Ackerson, in memory of his wife, Margaret "Janet" Ackerson.
Date: September 8, 2000
Middle Crescent Bay
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library - second floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donations of Sharon’s Group of Campus Community Friends.
Background: Sharon Burns was on the JSC Physical Plant staff from 1971-2003, and was responsible for the beauty of the college’s flower gardens and plantings, among other duties.
Date: September 8, 2000
Middle Sterling Bay
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library - second floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donations of Margaret Warden and her family,
in honor of her parents, Joseph E. & Margaret H. Ryan.
Date: September 8, 2000
Media Arts Research Studio
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC) - first floor
Plaque reads: Media Arts Research Studio
Named in recognition of the donation of David H. Faile, Jr.
Class of 1968.
September 8, 2000
Date: September 8, 2000
Professor Doyle's Office
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC) - Third floor
Plaque reads: Professor Doyle’s Office, named in recognition of the donation of David H. Faile, Jr., Class of 1968.
Date: September 8, 2000
Quiet Study Booth - Number One
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library - third floor.
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Susan Martin Taylor, Class of 1989, in memory of her grandmother, Anna Dodds Martin.
Date: September 8, 2000
Quiet Study Bo oth - Number Two
Location: WilleyLibrary and Learning Center (LLC) - third floor
Plaque reads: Named in honor of Anna M. Dermody, library staff from 1962 to 1985. Donated anonymously by one of her students.
Background: In her tenure as reference librarian at JSC, Anna was a strong advocate for building the library collections and working closely with students and faculty on their research projects. She possessed an enviable knowledge of books and a deep compassion for people, and remains a model librarian for her successors.
Date: September 8, 2000
Quiet Study Booth - Number Three
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC) - third floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of John M. Farmer, in memory of his great aunt, Ida A. Farmer, Johnson Normal School, 1898.
Date: September 8, 2000
Quiet Study Booth - Number Four (now Alumni Archives)
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library - third floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of John and Barbara Duffy of Isle La Motte.
Date placed: September 8, 2000
Quiet Study Booth - Number Five (now Alumni Archives)
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library - third floor.
Plaque reads: Named in memory of Helen J. Minaert, JSC staff member from 1947 to 1983, houseparent at Alumni House from 1949 to 1962, fondly remembered by all.
Date: April 1997
Quiet Study Booth - Number Six (now Alumni Archives)
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library, third floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Smugglers' Notch Corporation.
Date: September 8, 2000
Sterling Picture Window - East
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library- ground floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of George A. Frisch, Class of 1975.
Date: September 8, 2000
Sterling Picture Window - West
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library- ground floor
Plaque reads: Named in honor of the memory of W. Allen Fletcher and Anne Scharle Fletcher, in recognition of the donations of their families.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 1
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC)
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of The Class of 1996.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 2
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC)
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of June G. (Class of 1991) and Robert Guyette.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 3
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC)
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Gertrude G. Lepine, Class of 1945.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 4
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC)
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Peter M. and Patricia L. Haslam.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 5
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Mr. and Mrs. Prescott W. Stearns, in memory of his mother, Helen Braley Stearns, Class of 1913, and his aunt, Grace Braley Stockwell, Class of 1915.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 6
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Ellwyn and Josephine Hayslip. From 1954 to 1957, Ellwyn chaired the JSC Art Department and Jo was House Mother at Pearl House.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 7
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Robert W. Tuomanen, Class of 1977.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 8
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Jane Godfrey White, Class of 1971.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 9
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of the Chesamore Honor Society.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 10
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of the JSC Alumni Council.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 11
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of the JSC Alumni Council.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 12
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of the JSC Alumni Council.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 13
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of the Spin Station - Paul Sauvé, Class of 1988.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 14
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in memory of N. Eugene Dillow.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 15
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in memory of Jennie Thayer Monette (February 14, 1914 - September 13, 1998) by the Class of 1933.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 16
Location: Wiley Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in memory of Ginny Fitzgerald, in recognition of her love of poetry and literature, by the Ellsworth Trust.
Date: September 8, 2000
Study Carrel 17
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in memory of Stephen Kowalchyk, Class of 1976, by his sisters, family, and friends.
Date: September 8, 2000
The Old Switchboard Nook
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library - third floor
Plaque reads: In honor of Pearl Earle, in recognition of the vital role that she and this antiquated switchboard played in keeping Johnson State College connected with the world. Named in recognition of the donations of Randy and Susan Schievella, Classes of 1978 & 1979, switchboard operators in the Work Study Program.
Date: September 8, 2000
The Twenty-Four Hour Reading Room
Location: Ground floor of Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Plaque reads: Named in memory of Robert J. Harris, Class of 1976. Bob Harris (12/8/1950 - 2/24/1998) served for 18 years in the Vermont Legislature as the Representative from Windsor. He also served on the Vermont State College Board of Trustees, which established a scholarship endowment in his memory. His championship of the new LLC extended to leaving a bequest for the purchase of books. Dedicated: September 8, 2000
Date: September 2000
Top Crescent Bay
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library- second floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donations of Bob and Pat Chamberlain, Classes of 1974 and 1976.
Background: Robert Chamberlain was on the College staff from 1983 to 2001, and was Dean of Administration from 1990 to 2001. Pat served as director of the Child Development Center.
Date: September 8, 2000
Vera Parker Children's Book Collection
Location: Book Collection in Children’s Reading Room
Plaque reads: Named in honor of Vera Parker, Library Staff from 1968 to 1985. Dedicated September 8, 2000.
Background: Vera’s love of children’s literature was well-known, and during her years at the library she built and maintained a collection that was widely recognized throughout the state of Vermont.
Date: September 2000
West Sterling Bay
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library - second floor
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of the donation of Katharin and Arthur Brink, in memory of her parents, Vincent J. and Katharin J. W. Reilly.
Date: September 8, 2000
Willey Gallery
Location: Willey Library and Learning Center (LLC), Library
Given by: Richard Willey & Rosalind Weiss
Plaque reads: Named in recognition of Richard E. Willey '71 and his wife Rosalind S. Weiss in honor of his parents Julia V. and Ervin L. Willey.
Date: July 1999
Library Chairs (named in recognition of donations; plaques on back of each chair)
- Jeanne Anderson
- Dr. Kenneth Brighton
- Sharon Burns
- Butternut Mountain Farm
- Scott Chase
- Sue Chase
- Ron Chesborough
- Concept 2
- Dr. Vince Crockenberg
- Pauline Thresher Crombe, Class of 1945
- Thomas DePaulis, Class of 1979
- Sandra JC Douglass
- Judith G. Flashman, Class of 1964
- Jeffrey Greeder, Class of 2002, by Robert and Rosemary Greeder
- Hugh Haggerty, Class of 1961
- Paulette Pavluchuk Harkins, Class of 1964
- Claudia A. King, Class of 1983
- Roger Haigh
- J. Churchill and Marilyn Lanou Hindes
- Peter and Linda Kramer
- Alene Fletcher Lanou
- Gertrude G. Lepine, Class of 1949
- Sally Laughlin
- John Lord
- Jay C. Lyotte
- Dr. Walter A. Minaert
- A. Craig Raabe, Class of 1983
- Mark Reibman, Class of 1973
- Martha DePecol Sanner, Class of 1977
- Mr. & Mrs. Roy M. Schwartz, Jr.
- Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center
- Barbara Graves Story, Classes of 1942 & 1981
- Dr. Carol M. Story, Class of 1969, MA1974
- Susan M. Taylor, Class of 1989
- Rebecca Woodbury Tucker, Class of 1994
- Jonathan and Michele Waters
- Professor Alice G. Whiting, Class of 1956
- Robert S. Wilczynski, Class of 1988
Date: September 8, 2000
Library Chairs (named in memorial)
In memorial of C. Susan LaPorte
Plaque reads: In loving memory of C. Susan LaPorte ’82. She’ll always be remembered. Moody & the Boyz.
Date: September 8, 2000
MARTINETTI
Freda Hebb Room
Location: Martinetti Hall, ground floor
Plaque reads: The room is named in honor of Freda Hebb, Class of 1925, who served the college from 1934 to 1972 as registrar and secretary to the president. For many years she was the one-person administrative staff, filling the roles of secretary to the president, bookkeeper, personnel manager, and business manager. During her 38 years at Johnson, she served under six presidents. Her dedication to the school and her willingness to “go the extra mile” are legendary here. Each year, JSC’s highest award for staff service, The Freda Hebb Award, is given to a JSC employee who possesses the qualities of dedication and service she exemplified. Also yearly, the Alumni Association gives a scholarship in her name, from endowment funds, she left to the college. She passed away in 1997, just a month shy of her 90th birthday, but her memory lives on at JSC.
Dedicated: The Freda Hebb Conference Room in Martinetti was named for her in August 2006.
Date: August 2006
MCCLELLAND
Doris Spencer Room
Location: McClelland Hall
Background: This room is named in honor of Dr. Doris U. Spencer, who was professor of education at JSC from 1943 until 1973. She was a leading educator in Vermont and New England, specializing in reading, an author, and a "teacher of teachers." She chaired the Education Department for many years and was made a professor emeritus after her retirement. The 1991 room dedication program says “Dr. Spencer was a graduate of Lyndon Normal School and of Boston University, where she received her doctorate in 1957. While at Boston University, she began her work in individualizing reading instruction, work which became her trademark throughout her professional career. Her ideas about reading instruction are, no doubt, part of the foundation upon which the whole language approach to reading is based. She was president of the Vermont Council on Reading and the Vermont Education Association, a secretary and board member of the New England Reading Association, and a membership officer of the International Reading Association. She was awarded the Vermont Council of Reading’s Lyman C. Hunt Award for outstanding contributions to reading. The Spencer Trust was established in her memory to provide scholarships to worthy Johnson State College students pursuing graduate work in reading and language arts. Dr Spencer’s ideas still influence reading instruction today throughout Vermont, New England, and nationwide. We, her former students, are pleased to honor her today as we dedicate this seminar room in her memory.”
Date: This room was dedicated during Homecoming Weekend, October 12, 1991.
SHAPE
Athletic Director’s Office
Location: SHAPE
Given by
Robert Guyette & June G. Guyette Class of 1991
Placed September 2010
Carter Gym
Location: SHAPE Facility.
Background: This gym was built in 1966. The College’s first gym, it was named for William Carter, Principal, Johnson State Normal School, from 1944-1947 and President, Johnson State Teachers College, 1947-1952.
Date: 1966
Reception area
Location: SHAPE
Plaque reads: Named in honor of
Sally Reynolds
JSC staff member from 1972 to present
Given in honor and memory of
JSC cancer victims and survivors.
Placed September 2010
Sally Reynolds Reception Area
Location: SHAPE, 2nd floor
Plaque reads: “Sally Reynolds - JSC staff member from 1972 to present."
In honor and memory of JSC cancer victims and survivors. Placed December 2009.
Date: December 2009
STEARNS STUDENT CENTER
Ackerson Computer Station
Named in honor of the contributions of
Lawrence E. Ackerson, Class of 1980
In loving tribute to and memory of
Gary P. Ackerson
Placed December 2011
Bill Doyle Private Dining/Conference Room
Location: Stearns Student Center
Plaque reads: Named in honor of Professor/Senator Bill Doyle thanks to the contributions of National Life Group, Union Mutual Fire Insurance, and Vermont Mutual Insurance Company.
Date: December 2009
Heinrich Fireplace Stone Bench
Location: Stearns Student Center
Plaque reads: Named in honor of the contributions of Mark and Star Heinrich, Class of 1969.
Date: Spring 2009
Luck Community Room
Location: Stearns Student Center
Plaque reads: Named in honor of the contributions of Michael F. Luck ’70 & Barbara C. Wilson, in loving tribute to and memory of William H. and Mary (Leddy) Luck.
Date: Spring 2009
Rock Art Brewery Alcoves
Location: Stearns Student Center
Plaque reads: Named in honor of the contributions of
Matthew K. and Renee B. Nadeau, Class of 1989
Founders and proprietors of Rock Art Brewery
Placed September 2010
Sargent Private Dining/Conference Room
Location: Stearns Student Center
Plaque reads: Named in honor of the contributions of Stella Sargent in memory of her husband Walter Sargent.
Date: Spring 2009
Wolfe Community Room
Location: Stearns Student Center
Plaque reads: Named in honor of the contributions of Geofrey T. Wolfe, Class of 1972, and Joan I. Wolfe.
Date: Spring 2009
Footnotes
*The date of the Lamoille County Grammar School is listed, with other county institutions, in Mason S. Stone’s History of Vermont Education, State of Vermont, [1936], p. 226.
**Robert J. Titterton, Julian Scott: Artist of the Civil War and Native America, Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1997, p. 13.