In 1951, a 30-foot relief sculpture by Northwest artist Dudley Pratt was mounted on the west side of the newly opened Holland Library at Washington State College. Entitled “The Reader,” this stylized limestone figure was no doubt meant to portray the importance of study and reading in academic success. A generation of Nat King Cole fans, however, found something wistful in its countenance that reminded them of one of his hit records, so the sculpture became forever known as “Nature Boy.”
Nature Boy held vigil over Holland’s west entrance for 43 years, becoming the symbol of academic research for thousands. When the new addition opened in May 1994, however, the original library doors below the sculpture were locked, outfitted with a security alarm, and have gone unnoticed by the next generation. For a brief span, however, those doors were reopened as Nature Boy welcomed the Golden Grad Class of 1954 and the Diamond Grad Class of 1944 to Holland Library as part of the annual reunion activities on April 21-22.
In recognition of the libraries’ contribution to their success and because the libraries are integral to all disciplines and areas of research, the Golden Grad Class of 1954 made a gift to establish the WSU Libraries Oral History Project.
“The personal memories of those who experienced historical events are important enhancements to the body of written information that exists,” said Virginia Steel, director of WSU Libraries. “Since WSU plays a major role in our state, it is our responsibility to preserve the significant living memories about the school.”
The initial focus of the oral history project will be to record the remembrances of key university leaders and historians, but that will eventually expand to link to the recorded histories of colleges and departments, oral histories of long-time faculty and staff, and the broader history of Pullman and the Palouse. The libraries have the expertise to oversee the recording and transcription of these memories and the technological capability and experience to make them searchable on the Web.
