Wickersham Hall

Wickersham Hall, built in 1957, accommodates 99 senior or graduate students in the center of campus south of Wood Center. The three-story complex has four-person suites in addition to single rooms. Originally an all-women’s dorm, it became coed by suite when renovated in the mid 1990s. Renovations included new furnishings, cable television and high-speed Internet access.

On Jan. 12, 1958, the hall was dedicated to Judge James A. Wickersham and his second wife, Grace. Both of them made important contributions to the development of the university.

During the 1967 flood in Fairbanks, when thousands of Fairbanksans were stranded on College Hill, Wickersham Hall was converted to an infirmary.

It was reopened for the Fall 1997 semester after extensive renovations. Now each co-ed floor has male and female shower facilities and is our only suite-style facility on campus and houses 98 students.

James Wickersham

As Alaska's delegate to the U.S. Congress for 14 years, Wickersham was responsible for establishing the Alaska Territorial Legislature, the Alaska Railroad, Mt. McKinley National Park and the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines. Wickersham took advantage of a law providing land grants to states for the support of colleges and universities.

James Wickersham was born at Patoka, Ill., Aug 24, 1857, of sturdy farm parents. He had limited schooling; was admitted to practice law in 1880, passing the Illinois bar examination; married the same year and not long after came to Washington Territory, settling in Tacoma, Pierce County.

Judge Wickersham's first wife, Deborah, died in 1926; later he remarried Grace Vrooman from Juneau.

Wickersham died in Juneau on October 23, 1939. In 1949, the Alaska Territorial Legislature paid tribute to his memory by designating his birthday, August 24, Wickersham Day.

Grace Wickersham

Grace Wickersham was a member of the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines Board of Trustees from 1933 to 1935 and a member of the University of Alaska Board of Regents from 1935 to 1941.

Grace Vrooman arrived in Juneau in 1900 to be a substitute teacher. She had no intentions of remaining in Alaska beyond that school year. Something changed her mind for she continued to teach in Juneau until she retired.

Dr. Earnest Patty, president of the university in 1958, said, "In the eight years Mrs. Wickersham spent as trustee and regent, she took a deep interest in the affairs of the university. She had great pride in the fact her husband was one of the founders of the university and was pleased she could help build upon the cornerstone he laid."

When notified in her Juneau home of the dedication, Mrs. Wickersham commented that she finally had caught up with Mrs. Hess.

Before marriage, Grace Vrooman and Harriet Primer (Hess) were roomates and fellow teachers in Juneau. Miss Primer's marriage to Luther Hess preceded her nuptials. Mrs. Hess was named a trustee and regent before Mrs. Wickersham, and was first to have a university building named in her honor.

James Wickersham is also mentioned in these other eInfo articles

Sources: “The Cornerstone on College Hill,” by Terrence Cole; “Dedication, Wickersham Hall,” Special Events 1915-65 collection, UAF Alaska and Polar Regions Archives; Eric Jozwiak, Assoc. Director for Residence Life, UAF, Nathan Platt, Residence Life, UAF; UR Tour Script 2002; Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Jan. 11, 1958.

"The People Behind Campus Names" On these pages, you will find the stories of the people behind the names. Who are they and what did they contribute to the University of Alaska?