Names – All over campus you find them – names of persons on buildings, plaques, auditoriums, galleries, dormitories. Who were these people who have been so honored and why? Each represents a segment of University history and campus lore, and we need to know about them to understand how we became who we are. That’s why we have begun this new series which seeks to share their identity and the contributions they have made to the history of The University of Georgia.
DENMARK HALL
“Who was Denmark and why was that building named for him?” a student asked, referring to the building now used by the School of Environmental Design.
The building was opened as a dining hall in 1901 shortly after the untimely death of Brantley Astor Denmark, who had led the first ever alumni fund-raising effort.
Denmark was selected in 1897 to lead the campaign when the alumni society became concerned about the poor financial support the University was receiving. The alumni raised $40,000, later used in the construction of what is now Memorial Hall.
UGA officials choose to name the new dining hall to honor Denmark for his outstanding leadership and loyal support of the University.
Denmark, from Savannah, graduated in 1871 and was one of Savannah’s leading business men. He was a University trustee, a lawyer, president of the Citizen’s Bank of Savannah, president of the Southern/Western Railroad, curator of the Georgia Historical Society, and a member of his local Board of Education.
He was only 51 years old at the time of his death in 1901. His son, Thomas Norwood Denmark, graduated from the University in 1899.
