Building Westminster
Exploring the stories behind Westminster’s iconic structures
by Jeff Driggs
As any visitor can plainly see on a casual wander through campus, multiple buildings and other features bear the names of individuals who have made important contributions—in all senses of the word—to Westminster University over the past 150 years. These contributions have made possible the outstanding education students receive here.
Many of the buildings are named for Westminster presidents: Manford Shaw Student Center, Charles H. Dick Building, and [Peggy] Stock Hall. Other structures are named in honor of major donors, who in most cases did a lot more for Westminster than just write a check for a building.
These generous men and women, who gave their time, talents, and resources to develop and expand Westminster’s campus, are only a fraction of the thousands of donors who have supported Westminster and who continue to enhance the educational experiences of its students.
1. Ferry Plaza
Probably the name least noticed on campus, Ferry Plaza commemorates two of the most
important philanthropists Westminster has ever had: Col. William M. and Jeannette
H. Ferry. When administrators decided to move university classes out of the downtown
home of the Collegiate Institute in 1902, the current 27-acre tract of land in Sugar
House was identified as the ideal spot. Col. Ferry, at the urging of his wife, purchased
the land and deeded it to the college. The year after the first building, Converse
Hall, opened, the college broke ground for a women’s dormitory, Ferry Hall. The lead
gift for that building came from Jeannette Ferry, who championed the rights of female
students at Westminster and founded the Westminster Woman’s Board. When Ferry Hall
became unsafe and was razed 80 years later, bricks from the building were used to
create Ferry Plaza, in the circle in front of Converse Hall, to memorialize the Ferrys
for their incredible generosity and service to Westminster.
2. Converse Hall
No article about the named donors of campus buildings would be complete without mentioning
John H. Converse, a railroad executive from Philadelphia. A philanthropist who supported
schools, hospitals, and public art, Converse was a staunch proponent of the Presbyterian
church and its evangelistic efforts. Though there is no indication he ever came to
Utah, Mr. Converse supported many Presbyterian educational institutions throughout
the United States. In 1905 he donated $20,000 (equivalent to more than $700,000 today)
to support the construction of Westminster College’s first and most iconic structure,
Converse Hall.
3. Bamberger Hall
Ernest Bamberger and his brother, Clarence, ran mining operations in Utah, Colorado,
Nevada, and Oregon; and both served on the Westminster Board of Trustees, as well
as on many other charitable and business boards. The foundation Ernest and his wife,
Eleanor, created has supported Westminster generously for many decades, providing
more than $3.5 million in gifts to the Westminster Fund, Giovale Library, science
and nursing labs, scholarships, and faculty professional development.
4. Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business building
University of Utah chemistry major Wilbert “Bill” Gore often came to Westminster’s
campus, courting student Genevieve “Vieve” Walton. After they married, Bill worked
for DuPont as a research scientist, where he determined there was a market for Teflon-coated
wire. DuPont chose not to pursue developing the project, allowing Gore to create W.L.
Gore & Associates, makers of GORE-TEX® and other products. Not only did Bill and Vieve’s
gifts to Westminster include the Gore School of Business in 1988—after Bill’s passing—and
the Vieve Gore Concert Hall in 2004, but they passed along a heritage of Westminster
education in their family: Their daughter Ginger Giovale (’65) and grandson Danny
Giovale (’94) have served on the Westminster board, and they and other family members
attended the school. (Read more about the Gore family legacy.)
5. Giovale Library
Virginia “Ginger” Gore Giovale (’65), daughter of Bill and Vieve Gore, graduated from
Westminster with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a minor in English.
She then became a computer programmer with the Utah Highway Department. In 1976, she
was elected to the board of W.L. Gore & Associates and in 1977 became a trustee of
Westminster University—a role she served in for more than 29 years, 18 of them as
board chair. Over the years, she and her husband, John Giovale, have given more than
$42 million to Westminster, including the lead gift that made possible the construction
of the Giovale Library in 1997, replacing the former library housed in Nightingale
Hall.
6. Dumke Field
Dumke Field was named in honor of Ezekiel Dumke Jr. and his wife, Katherine, who were
wonderful friends of Westminster for many years. Gifts from this couple and the foundation
they established also include teaching laboratories used by the School of Nursing
and Health Sciences, the Dumke Black Box Theatre, the Katherine W. Dumke Center for
Civic Engagement, and the Dumke Opportunities Fund, which provides the university
a perpetual seed fund to take advantage of time-sensitive opportunities to enhance
educational experience for Westminster students. Several of their children and grandchildren
attended Westminster, and two—Ezekiel R. Dumke III and Andrea Dumke Manship (’83)—have
served on the Westminster Board of Trustees.
7. Dolores Dore Eccles Health, Wellness, and Athletic Center
Former Westminster trustee Dolores Doré Eccles took a personal interest in the success
of Westminster students, establishing the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Scholarships,
which have provided more than $10 million in financial aid to Westminster students
over the past 40+ years. Her name graces not only this building, but also a plaza
in front of the Giovale Library and the ceramics center. The legacy of the entire
Eccles family has included millions of dollars in gifts supporting science, the arts,
nursing, the library, and scholarships on campus.
8. Kim T. Adamson Alumni House
Current Westminster trustee Kim T. Adamson (’79) received her bachelor’s degree from
Westminster in behavioral science and has since led a life of service and adventure,
including more than 20 years as a law enforcement officer, an appointment to the bench
as a Senior Justice Court Judge in Salt Lake City, and service at home and overseas
as a Marine. At Westminster she’s served on the Alumni Board, supported the construction
of the Giovale Library, funded the Kim T. Adamson Chair for International Studies,
led the efforts for the establishment of the Veterans Center, and was the lead donor
for the Adamson Alumni House, built in 2008.
9. Meldrum Science Center
Named for former Westminster trustee Peter D. Meldrum, the Meldrum Science Center
was a massive upgrade to the science facilities at Westminster when it opened in 2010.
Pete—the co-founder of Myriad Genetics and developer of the first commercial test
for the breast cancer gene—and his wife, Cathie, who serves on the Westminster Woman’s
Board, have also supported excellence awards for faculty in the sciences, scholarships,
and technology equipment at Westminster. In addition to the Meldrums, major donors
to this building included Ginger and John Giovale; James LeVoy Sorenson, the inventor
of dozens of medical devices and founder of Sorenson Genomics; then-trustee Bob Frankenberg,
former chair and CEO of Novell; and the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation—for
whom floors in the facility are named.
10. Westminster Performing Arts Center
The Westminster Performing Arts Center was built in three phases, each named for a
generous woman whose support secured Westminster’s reputation for excellence in the
performing arts.
Berenice Jewett Bradshaw led the way with her gifts toward the construction of the Jewett Center in 1991. Her contributions to the Westminster Fund, scholarships, and other campus programs, totaling nearly $4 million, are credited with stabilizing the position of Westminster during an era of financial exigency.
In 2004, the Emma Eccles Jones Conservatory was added to the north end of the Jewett Center, with the lead gift coming from the foundation of Ms. Jones, a pioneer in early childhood education and a beloved philanthropist who supported the arts and education in Utah and California.
Florence J. Gillmor (’38) studied music and voice at Westminster and performed in campus productions of H.M.S. Pinafore and The Mikado. The only child of Edward Lincoln and Bessie Boyce Gillmor, she inherited land her father and uncles had ranched around Park City and used proceeds from the land’s sale to create a foundation in her parents’ names and to anonymously support music programs at Westminster College. After her death, the foundation directors renamed the foundation for her and contributed generously to establish the Florence J. Gillmor School of Music and build Florence J. Gillmor Hall, which opened on the south side of the Jewett Center in 2022.
11. L.S. Skaggs Integrated Wellness Center
Westminster’s newest building, which opened Fall 2024, is named for L.S. “Sam” Skaggs,
a student at Westminster in the 1940s. At just 27 years old, at his father’s passing,
he became president of Skaggs Drug Centers. Under his leadership, the enterprise,
later named American Stores, grew into the nation’s largest drug retailer. He and
his son Don each served on the Westminster Board of Trustees. When the college faced
financial difficulties in the 1980s, Sam noted the school had an important role in
the state and that it must not fail. He made anonymous contributions to ensure its
success. He and The ALSAM Foundation (named for Sam and his wife, Aline) supported
the construction of the Giovale Library, the expansion of the Gore School of Business,
and the new L.S. Skaggs Integrated Wellness Center, designed to provide services,
programs, and support for the well being of students.
About the Westminster Review
The Westminster Review is Westminster University’s bi-annual alumni magazine that is distributed to alumni and community members. Each issue aims to keep alumni updated on campus current events and highlights the accomplishments of current students, professors, and Westminster alum.
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