Hamilton will name the Annex, the multipurpose facility adjoining the Beinecke Student Activities Village, the Patricia and Winton Tolles Pavilion in honor of the former long-time dean and his wife.
The ceremony officially celebrating the rededication will take place at 4:30 p.m., on Friday, June 1, during Hamilton's Reunion Weekend. A reception and buffet dinner will follow. For reservation information, contact Sarah Wetherill by May 25 at 800-296-6098 or swetheri@hamilton.edu.
"Beginning with Winton and Patricia Tolles, the Tolles family has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of Hamilton College students. I am delighted to be able to recognize their dedication and generosity by naming for them a space so essential to student activity," said Hamilton President Joan Stewart.
Winton Tolles began his longest tenure at Hamilton in 1947, but he actually spent a couple years in the early 1930s on campus as an English instructor having graduated from the College in 1928 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. From 1947-72 he served as the dean of the College. He began in this role at a time when there was only one dean, and a total of six in the administration. In his first year, he oversaw 599 men, 15 percent of whom were returning war veterans and 50 of whom had to be housed in the gym.
The Annex was built in 2000 and links to the Beinecke Student Activities Village. It is home to a broad range of activities from theatre performances to workshops, from concerts to dances. The facility is equipped with dressing rooms, a data projector, and a 16-foot screen for movies and multi-media presentations.
"It seems fitting that this building that is so integral to campus life should be named for individuals who played such an important role in the lives of Hamilton students for a quarter century," said Board of Trustees Chairman Stuart Scott '61.
According to Hamilton Professor of Religious Studies Jay Williams '54, Tolles became legendary on campus for his memory of every student's name and a bit about the background of each. When Williams was an incoming freshman in 1950, he met Tolles and marveled that he knew Williams' name as well as his hometown. "He was an extraordinary man, and his use of psychology with the students in addressing their problems was wonderful," said Williams.
Half-century class annalist Bill Yeomans '55, on the occasion of his class' 50th reunion, relayed his memories of Tolles. "No discussion of Hamilton in our era could ever be complete without a word about Dean Tolles. … if there were a man better suited to be dean of a small men's liberal arts college in the 1950s, we couldn't have imagined one. He kept order with a firm but gentle hand, understanding us better than we understood ourselves. Classmates described his patience, kindness, faith in us, humor and his huge heart. More than one of us sitting here today in the Class of '55 was helped, even kept in school, with the dean's solid guidance."
Winton's wife Patricia, who was called "Pat" by her friends, contributed to the College in many ways, often behind the scene. "When Win Tolles got word of a problem or tragedy with a student, Pat knew how to handle the situation. She always gave the best advice. Win would listen, and she would provide wonderful suggestions for the best for all who were involved," said Professor of Economics Sidney Wertimer's widow Ellie.
After earning his Hamilton degree as well as a Ph.D. at Columbia University in English literature, Tolles served in the armed forces during World War II. In 1945 the couple returned to the Mohawk Valley where, for two years before coming to Hamilton, Winton was the founding chief executive of Utica College. The couple came to Hamilton in 1947 where they raised three children: Theodore "Terry" Tolles, Winton "Tony" Tolles and Patricia "Trix" Smalley, who continues her family's legacy as a Hamilton trustee.
There are many other Tolles connections to the College. The Winton Tolles Lecture Series was established in 1991 by members of the Class of 1951 in memory of Winton Tolles. He was also awarded the Bell Ringer Award in 1970 and an honorary degree in 1972. Dave Smalley '56, in addition to his wife Trix, has served on the College's board of trustees. One of the couple's two sons, Brian Winton Smalley '93, graduated from Hamilton.
Trix Smalley commented on her parents' lives at Hamilton. "What is important, I think, in considering my parents' roles and work is, as they contributed much and in many ways, they had the good luck and the great privilege and joy of thoroughly enjoying and loving what they did and the people and colleagues, of great variety, with whom they did it"
