Pat Neff Hall construction, Baylor University

Pat Neff Hall was started in 1938 (with a Masonic cornerstone laying ceremony on December 7, 1938) and completed in 1939. President Neff received an offer from the General Educational Board of a $50,000 gift to the university if an administration building was built to free up classroom space. The 46,000 sq. ft. building was built in the American Georgian style, by Waco architectural firm Birch D. Easterwood and Son, at a cost of around $250,000. It was originally referred to as simply “the Administration Building” before it was officially dedicated to Pat Neff on Founders Day, Feb. 1, 1940. Descendants of Judge Baylor, as well as of several of Baylor’s past presidents, were honored guests at the ceremony.