In his role as University archivist, UC Foundation Associate Professor Noah Lasley works to acquire, arrange and describe official University of Tennessee at Chattanooga records and other valuable materials that document the University’s history and functions. His research interests include digital humanities, digital curation and archival instruction.
Lasley received a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in information science from UT Knoxville. Before joining UTC Special Collections in July 2016, he worked for several library units at UT Knoxville, including Modern Political Archives, Great Smoky Mountains Regional Project and Digital Production Area.
Architectural sketch of Grote Hall exterior by James R. Franklin. UA-00-03-01-30-002. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll50/id/1580/rec/3. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
“He is an example of what the University of Chattanooga has been. His intense interest in the future represents the University that is to be.” With these words in May 1969, University of Chattanooga President William H. Masterson celebrated the retirement of Professor Irvine W. Grote and simultaneously announced the building to be named in his honor—Grote Hall.
Black-and-white photograph of Grote Hall exterior, bird’s-eye view. UA-00-03-01-30-015. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll50/id/1535/rec/7. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
Planned since the mid-1960s, the four-story building containing laboratories, classrooms, lecture theaters and offices added much-needed space for the growing science, engineering and mathematics departments. The firm of prominent local architect James R. Franklin created blueprints and drawings for a structure of reinforced concrete and brick veneer intended to complement the recently built Maclellan Gymnasium, dedicated in 1965. With planning materials in hand, the University worked to acquire the requisite $2.4 million for construction through grant funding and the Bold Venture capital campaign of 1967-68. After the 1969 merger agreement, the University of Tennessee system also contributed funding to the project.
Black-and-white photograph of Irvine Grote planting a dogwood tree outside of Grote Hall as part of the dedicatory ceremonies, University Echo, April 29, 1970, page 5. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/6143/rec/23. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
Officially dedicated in April 1970, Grote Hall was the first new building after the merger between the University of Chattanooga, Chattanooga City College and the UT System created the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. As such, the fanfare was significant and the programming included a three-day seminar series, a ceremonial key exchange and remarks from high-profile speakers—including UT System President Andy Holt and Aubrey Wagner, chairman of the TVA board of directors.
Black-and-white photograph of University of Tennessee System President Andy Holt (center) accepting the master key to Grote Hall, University Echo, April 29, 1970, page 5. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/6143/rec/23. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
At the dedication, Department of Chemistry Chair Benjamin Gross commented on how fitting it was for “the first new building of the UTC era” to be named after such a distinguished and long-serving campus associate as Grote. He graduated from the University of Chattanooga in 1922, returned as an accomplished professor in 1931, and served as a chemistry professor for 38 years, including 24 years as department chair.
Black-and-white photograph of a young Irvine W. Grote preparing a chemistry experiment. UA-00-03-02-07-027. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll62/id/1160/rec/30. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
What’s more, Grote was a renowned pharmaceutical chemist with an equally impressive legacy outside the University. Early in his career, the research of Grote and a collaborator directly contributed to the work of Vincent du Vigneaud, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1955.
Black-and-white photograph of Irvine W. Grote. UA-00-03-02-07-012. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll62/id/358/rec/33. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
Grote’s laboratory work also resulted in numerous patents, including several related to the production of the compound dihydroxy aluminum sodium carbonate (DASC)—the active ingredient in the popular antacid Rolaids, which was manufactured locally by the Chattanooga Medicine Company and sold to the American Chicle Company.
Black-and-white photograph of Grote (right) and the Irvine W. Grote Hall dedicatory plaque, University Echo, April 29, 1970, page 1. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/6139/rec/23. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
Grote Hall remains the home of the Department of Chemistry today, and an extensive building renovation from 2008-10 added new classrooms, labs and research areas to the space.
Bibliography
“Added Grant of $300,000 Given to UTC,” University Echo, January 12, 1968, page 1, https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/5655/rec/28.
Brymer, Charles. “Grote Hall Dedication Scheduled for April 23,” University Echo, March 18, 1970, page 1. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/6074/rec/1.
Brymer, Charles. “Grote Hall Dedication Slated April 23,” University Echo, April 22, 1970, page 1. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/6126/rec/41.
“Dr. Grote To Be Honored After 38 Years of Service,” University Echo, May 9, 1969, page 1, https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/5909/rec/9.
“Grote Hall Dedicated; Dr. Irvine Grote Honored,” University Echo, April 29, 1970, pages 1 and 5. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/6139/rec/23.
Irvine Grote papers. MS-019. https://findingaids.utc.edu/repositories/2/resources/98.
I. W. Grote biography file, 1966-1983. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga biography files. Box UA-00-02-03 004, Folder 8. https://findingaids.utc.edu/repositories/4/archival_objects/19220.
I. W. Grote Hall file, 1961-1984. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus building and construction files. Box UA-00-02-06 002, Folder 3. https://findingaids.utc.edu/repositories/4/archival_objects/19473.
Office file on Grote Hall, 1966-1970. William H. Masterson papers. Box UA-04-01-11 008. https://findingaids.utc.edu/repositories/4/archival_objects/18870.
President’s Report to the Board of Trustees, University of Chattanooga Board of Trustees annual meeting minutes, June 3, 1968, page 10. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll25/id/1808/rec/15.
Schmidt, Jan. “Science Building to Be Named After Retiring Dr. Irvine Grote,” University Echo, May 23, 1969, page 1. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/5916/rec/2.
Science Building foundation construction photograph, University Echo, November 15, 1968, page 4, https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/5792/rec/6.
“Science Building Grant Totals $621,290,” University Echo, January 11, 1967, page 1. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/5532/rec/19.
University of Chattanooga Board of Trustees quarterly meeting minutes, February 18, 1966, page 3. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll25/id/2495/rec/9.
Learn more
Black-and-white photograph of Grote Hall under construction. Jan Schmidt, “Science Building to Be Named After Retiring Dr. Irvine Grote,” University Echo, May 23, 1969, page 1. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/5916/rec/2. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
