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OSU Buildings Histories in the Special Collections and Archives Research Center

Building History

A color image of Tebeau Hall.

 

Tebeau Hall opened in the fall of 2014, houses 320 students and is unique in that it houses a satellite office for Student Health Services. This building was named to honor William “Bill” Tebeau, who in 1948 became the first African-American male to earn a degree at the university and went on to have a 36-year career as a civil engineer. When he was a student, Tebeau was turned away from student housing because of his color. He found housing at a fraternity house for international students and lived by the motto: “Make it a great day.” Try your hand at the "Tulip for Tebeau," the interactive public art sculpture that was inspired by Tebeau's passion for engineering and teaching.

General Information

Address

1351 SW Washington Ave

Architect

Opsis Architecture

Year Built

2014

Renovations

N/A

Square Footage

85,000 sq ft

Purpose/Usage

Student dormitory; houses a satellite office for Student Health Services

Previous Name(s)

N/A

Namesake

William "Bill" Tebeau - the first African-American to graduate from OSU, received the first ever Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers Trailblazer Award, inducted into the OSU Engineering Hall of Fame. 

Historic District

No

Blueprints

Floor Plans on the Tebeau Hall UHDS Landing Page

Maps

Facilities Services Records, 1888-2003. Series XX:  Campus, Farm, and Property Maps, 1899-1990. Campus and Farm Maps: 3-A

Oregon State University Campus Maps, 1894-1994

Photographs

Oregon State University Historical Photographs, 1868-1980

Further Archival Information

SCARC: The George Edmonston, Jr. Collection includes a subject file and typescript about Bill Tebeau. In addition, the Oregon Multicultural Communities Research Collection includes information about the construction and dedication of Tebeau Hall, as well as biographical information about Bill Tebeau.

Oregon Digital: A search for Tebeau Hall yields 70 results, many of them photographs and university periodicals. 

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