Completed in the midst of the economic downturn, Butler opened this month five buildings strong, but only two of the dormitories have been named, for sponsoring donors. For now, the structures known as Building A, Building C and Building D stand nameless, raising questions about the specific sources of the funding for the new complex.
Despite the uncertain economic climate, an announcement is expected soon regarding a donor for one of three unnamed buildings, and some plans are in the works for another, Assistant Vice President of Development for Development Relations Justin Harmon ’76 said.
“There’s a plan that’s created for each facility, and if our projection is that we’re going to raise X million dollars … [once we determine] the plan is a safe one, then we can access other sources temporarily while we’re raising the money,” Harmon said, explaining how the buildings were funded without specific donors.
On Thursday, Wilf Hall and Class of 1967 Hall will be officially dedicated. Harmon said that funding for one of the currently unnamed buildings — he declined to specify which — is expected.
“The announcement will come soon,” Harmon explained. “We know the donor … The donor was not able to participate in the event on Thursday, so there will be a subsequent announcement.”
Harmon said his office also has information about funding for a fourth Butler dorm, but that the specifics had not been nailed down. “We’re sure we know who [the donors will be] ... But they need time to fully develop the pledges and gifts among their own ranks, and that gift will be announced when that consortium [is ready],” he said.
Butler is not the only new residential college with unnamed buildings. Though Whitman College opened in September 2007, both South Baker and North halls lack the names of major donors.
In April 2004, the University announced that North Hall would be named Wendell Hall following a $10 million donation from a group headed by Peter C. Wendell ’72. Wendell’s wife, Lynn Mellen Wendell ’77, Scott Cook and Cook’s wife Signe Ostby will join Wendell in the donation.
Though the donation was announced more than five years ago and though North Hall has yet to be renamed, “none of the terms of the gift have changed,” Harmon said.
“There’s no issue of the gift itself,” he said. “The question really has to do with a permanent name for the facility and when it’s right to announce that.”
Wendell, who is the founder of Sierra Ventures, a venture capital firm in Silicon Valley, was travelling Monday and could not be reached for comment.
Harmon noted that buildings are generally constructed with the understanding that a donor will provide the necessary money and that it is not unusual for buildings to be named after they are built.

“There’s a financing plan for each new structure that the University anticipates building,” he said, adding that at some point the donation does “really need to be identified.” Currently, Harmon’s office is soliciting donations for the planned neuroscience and psychology complex, he added.