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Squires Student Center

290 College Ave.
Squires Student Center
Squires Student Center, viewed from College and Otey Streets

Squires Student center consists of an inner core (the original Squires Hall) and surrounding buildings added later. The facility contains two ballrooms, a 510-seat theater, a food court and dining areas, various activity rooms, meeting rooms, an art gallery, lounges, music and theater production spaces, offices and practice rooms for the music department, and offices for student publications and Student Engagement and Campus Life.

 

John Houston Squires

The student center was named in 1949 for 1905 alumnus John Houston Squires, who donated $10,000 toward construction. A distinguished scientist, Squires had a brilliant career as a chemist with E.I. du Pont de Nemours, GM Corporation, and American Cyanamid. He also taught at a college and was instrumental in reorganizing and reopening a bank. A supporter of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, he designed the relief map that helped lead to its establishment.

Building History

The original Squires Hall was completed in May 1937 and contained 54,366 square feet. It was named in 1949 for John H. Squires. Civilian students had their dining hall in the building from September 1937 to September 1939. 

The original building was closed in 1966 for the first surrounding addition and renovation. Construction began in 1967. The new building reopened in 1969 but was not completed until winter 1970. It was renamed Squires Student Center and dedicated May 12, 1970. 

Another renovation completed in 1991.

Additional Details

Click here to learn about visitor parking on the Virginia Tech Blacksburg campus.

Originally Built:
1937
Map Grid:
N-4
Abbreviation / Number:
SQUIR / 180
Coordinates:
37.22962, -80.41796