Even after SF State President Robert A. Corrigan says goodbye to the University, his legacy will live on in the buildings that expanded and improved the campus, as well as helped put the school on the map.
“We are known for our brand, for what we are trying to do here,” said Corrigan. “We are known in the city now.”
Since 1989 the campus has grown from 95 acres to 141. This is just one goal Corrigan achieved in his 24-year tenure at SF State. Here are some highlights of how the campus has expanded psychically since he took office in September 1988:
The Village at Centennial Square (opened in Fall 2001) – This structure was built in response to the need for student housing after Verducci Hall had to be closed due to damage from the Loma Prieta earthquake. It is made up of three different buildings, five stories each. Building C is where domestic and international students aged 25 and younger are assigned.
“We continue to have a large number of international students and we can house them,” said Corrigan. “It makes us a destination campus.”
Between The Village, Parkmerced and the University Park North, SF State now offers 5,000 beds for students. This also helps bring in freshmen. More than 50 percent of last year’s graduating class came to SF State as freshmen compared to years past when about 75 percent of graduating students transferred from community colleges.
New Humanities Building (opened in 1994) – The original building was built in 1958. After being rebuilt, the new building has more classrooms than any other building and over 200 faculty offices. Humanities was the first to be built since 1972, when Hensill and Thornton halls went up.
“Before Humanities, faculty was sharing a desk,” said Corrigan. “When you can’t house faculty, you get horizontal mobility.”
Downtown SF State campus in Westfield Center (opened in 2007) – This addition not only helped create visibility, but also helped alleviate some of the crowding at the main campus. It was thought that the master’s of business administration program would be better served in the Downtown area.
“It brought the MBA program closer to the working population,” said Corrigan.
Simon Lam, associate vice president of the capital planning, design and construction department commend Corrigan for his work on the campus over the years.
“We are grateful to President Corrigan for his exceptional vision and support for the physical development of the campus,” he said.
