Named For: Its location. East was the first building constructed and, as such, was originally named Brockway College, since the majority of the original capital ($250) was donated by Mr. William Brockway. Later it became known as East College, because of its location to the east of Middle and West Halls, the second and third buildings constructed.

Also Known As: Brockway College; East College.

Location: On the "Hill," in line with Middle and West Halls.

Date of Construction: Construction started in 1851, but due to lack of funds, was not fully completed until 1863.

Former Uses: As the first structure on campus, East College was a multi-purpose building in the early years. The building was used in 1861, while still unfinished, as headquarters and barracks for the First Wisconsin Cavalry (Camp Fremont). Originally, East included four recital rooms, the cabinet, reading room, apparatus room, and several rooms for students. For a time, the college library and reading rooms were located in East, along with the chapel and later the theater.

As late as 1962, the first two floors were occupied by the college administration and Music department studios were located on the third floor. During the 1970s, East was the primary academic facility for the Music department. The Anthropology and Sociology departments were located in East until 1988, when they moved to Todd Wehr.

Present Uses: Currently, East Hall houses the History, Religion, Politics and Government, Sociology and Philosophy departmental offices, as well as Kresge Little Theater and the Wensink Lounge.

Major Alterations: In 1882-83, the building was enlarged to twice its original size and the entire structure (except the walls and a portion of the woodwork) was overhauled. The original stonework of the outside walls was left intact. In 1980, East Hall underwent complete interior renovation.

Note: The Little Theater (now the Kresge Little Theater) was at one time the chapel and was also the site of many of the early plays done on campus. On February 18 and 19, 1931, the "New Little Theater" formally opened with a Mask and Wig production of "Outward Bound" by Sutton Vane. Most of the Mask and Wig productions were produced there. A list of all Mask and Wig plays was painted on the back wall of the Little Theater, but this list was destroyed during the Kuebler administration.

Note: Kresge Little Theater and Wensink Lounge are named for benefactors of the College.

The Kresge Foundation presented the College with a $150,000 challenge grant for the renovation of East, West and Memorial Halls in 1980. The Foundation had also given $50.000 for Wehr Learning Resource Center and $100,000 for Rodman Center for the Arts in earlier years.

Delmar D. Wensink, Class of 1916, was an executive with Stolper Industries. In December 1979, the College announced the Delmar D. Wensink Professorship of Political Economy from the Stolper-Wensink Foundation.

References: Fact Sheet, p.10; Tomkies, p.1; Pictorial Review, p.2-3; Ripon College: A History, pp.1,246; Ripon College press releases, October 30, 1979 and December 18, 1979; College Days, January 27, 1931.