Imagine thousands of students passing through this very spot each day. This is Anderson Hall. It’s a vital hub at Temple University. Today Anderson Hall is officially Mazur Hall. The building has a story that stretches back to the early 1970s.
Anderson Hall first opened in 1973. It proudly bore the name of Paul R. Anderson. He was a former president of Temple University. For decades Anderson Hall stood as a landmark. It was home to countless classes and memories.
But times change. Temple evolves. In 2021 a significant change occurred. Anderson Hall was renamed Mazur Hall. This was in honor of Leonard Mazur and his wife Helena. Leonard is a Temple alum. He and Helena are long-time partners of the university.
The Mazurs have greatly supported Temple. Their focus is on helping students succeed professionally. Leonard Mazur even funded a networking program. It is available to all Temple students. Mazur once remarked that Temple is a great institution.
The name change came after years of renovation. The renovations have given Anderson Hall a new look. The building has a modern feel. Students may have noticed a banner outside. It announced the coming name change.
Originally the lobby reconstruction was to be a gift. It was to be a gift from the Mazurs. Plans shifted however. Instead their gift supports scholarships. It supports scholarships for students in need.
Richard Deeg is the dean for the College of Liberal Arts. He explained the change. He said that Leonard Mazur had already funded the lobby. The scholarship support was a better fit.
The Temple University board of trustees approved the name change. This happened on September 14th. Since then Anderson Hall is officially Mazur Hall. Mazur himself was deeply honored. He couldn’t describe how great it felt.
The physical sign change was eagerly anticipated. Students looked forward to the spring semester. They would then see the new sign.
Anderson Hall is connected to Gladfelter Hall. They both house the College of Liberal Arts. These buildings stand over Polett Walk. This is between 11th and 12th Streets. Grace Baptist Church once stood here. Russell Conwell’s first church in Philadelphia. It was demolished in 1969 to make way for Gladfelter Hall.
These buildings are ten stories tall. They are connected by an elevated courtyard. In 2020 Temple began a major renovation. This renovation included the courtyard. It included a new glass atrium for Anderson Hall. The renovations created a gateway. It created a gateway for the eastern entrance of campus.
If you arrived via SEPTA Regional Rail you would see the changes. The repaved and landscaped Pollett Walk is inviting. It welcomes many people. They use the train to get to campus each day.
James Templeton is the director of architecture for the Project Delivery Group. He called it a redefining project. It created an East Gateway for campus. This did not exist before. It welcomes thousands of students and staff.
Inside Anderson Hall the lobby is newly renovated. It serves as an event space. It is a centerpiece for the College of Liberal Arts. The Anderson and Gladfelter Terrace was also reimagined. It created a university quad. It has lawn space and outdoor seating. Monumental stairs provide direct access from Polett Walk.
This project created an outdoor space from a rooftop. Before it did not have much activity. Now it is a garden in the sky. It has a university lawn and lots of seating. Now it is even more important. We can be together in beautiful outdoor spaces.
Anderson Hall’s story reflects Temple’s evolution. It shows Temple’s commitment to its students. The building stands as a testament. It is a testament to the generosity of Leonard and Helena Mazur. It is a place where countless stories will unfold.