Dodge Hall of Engineering

Built: 1968 | Type: instruction and research

Quick Facts

• Ground-Breaking Ceremony: November 3, 1966
• Building Completion and Dedication: Spring 1968
• Cost: $5,000,000
• Architect: O'Dell, Hewlett, and Luckenbach
• Construction: Lerner-Linden Construction Company
• Funding: $3,620,000 worth of funds was appropriated by the state of Michigan, as well as $1,000,000 and $380,000 given by the Higher Education Facilities Act and National Institute of Health, respectively.
• Specifications: 151,204 sq. ft.
• Namesake: John F. and Horace E. Dodge, automobile tycoons behind Dodge Automotive.  Dedicated specifically to John F. Dodge, first husband of Oakland University benefactress Matilda R. Wilson.

History

Dedicated to John F. Dodge, who harbored a deep interest in automobiles, trains, and other mass transit vehicles throughout his lifetime, Dodge Hall of Engineering was constructed to house Oakland's School of Engineering and the Department of Biology. Dodge was the first husband of Oakland University benefactress Matilda R. Wilson, who donated much of her land and resources to the inception of the university.  When the Engineering Center opened in Fall 2014, the building name became simply "Dodge Hall."

The construction of Dodge Hall was delayed several weeks due to a buildings trades strike.