Event marks 75th anniversary of Kent Library

In celebration of what speakers said is the "heart and soul" of Southeast Missouri State University, Kent Library's 75th anniversary was marked Friday evening with remembrances and the unveiling of stained glass windows by noted artist G. Owen Bonawit.

Matching the milestone, about 75 people turned out for the occasion.

Bill Holland, vice president for university advancement and executive director of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation, said he fell in love with the library when he came to work at the university. "This building, it's funny that it was built so long ago, because it's so modern and so refreshed," Holland said, adding when he takes people on tours of the facility, they're always wowed.

Jim Riley, speaking in place of retired English professor Dr. John Bierk, read from an essay written by H.O. Grauel about Sadie Kent, the library's namesake.

Dr. Frank Nickell, retired history professor and former director of the Center for Regional History, also shared his recollections of Kent and the university's history.

A cake depicting Kent Library drew attention at its 75th anniversary program Friday at Southeast Missouri State University. (Fred Lynch)

And Dr. Robert Hamblin, professor emeritus of English and founding director of the library's Center for Faulkner Studies, spoke about how L.D. Brodsky's William Faulkner collection came to be at Southeast.

In Grauel's writings, Kent was described as a strict Presbyterian who insisted on quiet in the library, but her gruff exterior hid a compassionate and tenderhearted side.

Nickell said she ran a tight ship. If someone made noise or violated her rules, she watered her plants and then poured water down the offending student's back. Or she would make a withering comment about someone who misbehaved.

University regents in 1937 approved construction of Cheney Hall, to be named after Southeast's first president, Lucius H. Cheney, and Kent Library, after Sadie Kent.

Works Progress Administration rules said you couldn't name buildings after someone who was alive, but a stone cutter engraved her name on the building despite the rule, Riley said, reading from Grauel's essay.

The library originally was in the east wing of the first floor of Academic Hall, across from the present day Kent Library, Nickell said.

When the structure was built in 1939, Kent commissioned the New York City stained glass artist Bonawit, who died in 1971, to create window panels depicting printing's early days, westward expansion, Missouri history and the life of author and Missourian Mark Twain.

Special collections and archives librarian Roxanne Dunn said Friday evening was the culmination of several months of celebration.

"We're just really excited and pleased with the turnout," Dunn said, adding it was nice to see old colleagues.

Holland said he thought the event was wonderful and that it showcased Southeast's traditions.

"If you talk to any alumni, they're always going to have a Kent Library story," Holland said. "... It's the center of academic life. ..."

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

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Donations needed

The 45 stained glass windows have been displayed at various locations throughout Kent Library over the years. They were first placed in the main reading room and later on the third floor until renovations required them to be placed in storage.

The panels are on the wall of the Quiet Reading Room on the third floor. Donations are needed to cover the cost of placing the windows in their new home.

For more information, visit semo.edu/75, contact director of development Angie Wilson at 576-8877 or awilson@semo.edu; or contact Dunn at 986-7446 or rdunn@semo.edu.