VCU's First Student Facility on the Medical Campus: The Jonah L. Larrick Student Center
The Jonah L. Larrick Student Center was originally constructed in 1960 to serve as the Civil War Centennial Center for Virginia. What is now the second floor contained a circular exhibition area, with offices and support facilities around half of the perimeter There were locker and dressing rooms for men and women who portrayed characters from the Civil War period, and steel stairs with wood treads to access the balcony. A projection booth rose from the center of the floor on a pedestal, and was accessed by a spiral staircase which wound around the pedestal. Eight projectors beamed images onto the dome ceiling screens.
The Civil War Centennial Center was transferred to VCU and underwent a renovation conversion to become a student center in 1966. At that time, the first floor was converted to a dining center and the kitchen area was added. The second floor was configured much like the existing facility - additional walls were added to complete the encirclement of the central lounge/meeting area. Several offices, a game room, tv room, and two conference rooms surrounded the central "Student Activity Area."
At the time of its dedication on May 29, 1967, the student center was re-named the Jonah L. Larrick Student Center in honor of Jonah Lupton Larrick (1897 - 1977), who - like Doctor Sanger - was an important figure in the lives of MCV students from the early 1920's through 1959 when he retired. Known as "Father Larrick," he was credited as the individual most responsible for developing college life activities at MCV. He organized many athletic and other activities for students, and helped MCV students find jobs and a place to live while they were in school. Even after his retirement, he was a perennial visitor at MCV Alumni House to greet and reminisce among his many MCV alumni friends.