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About LAS


College and Campus Trivia

First Building

Students gave the University's first building this nickname, perhaps because of its huge proportions on an uncompromisingly flat landscape.

What was the nickname?

Answer: The Elephant

Actually named Old University Hall in 1868, its five stories included classrooms, a chapel, clubrooms, a power plant, and dormitories for about 130 students. A windstorm destroyed part of the building in 1880, and lacking sufficient funds to repair the damage, the University demolished it in 1881.

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