Voorhees Computing Center (VCC): Difference between revisions
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The Voorhees Computing Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is named after donor Alan M. Voorhees, a graduate of RPI in the Class of 1947 [1]. He donated $3.4 million to his alma mater in 1979 to transform an on-campus chapel into a modernized computing center. The VCC is still operational today, and has transformed over the years to remain modern to technologies of the time. | The Voorhees Computing Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is named after donor Alan M. Voorhees, a graduate of RPI in the Class of 1947 [1]. He donated $3.4 million to his alma mater in 1979 to transform an on-campus chapel into a modernized computing center. The VCC is still operational today, and has transformed over the years to remain modern to technologies of the time. | ||
=Who was Alan M. Voorhees?= | |||
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https://www.nae.edu/File.aspx?id=190871 | |||
''Mr. Voorhees'' | |||
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=Appearance= | =Appearance= | ||
Revision as of 22:16, 31 October 2024
Introduction
The Voorhees Computing Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is named after donor Alan M. Voorhees, a graduate of RPI in the Class of 1947 [1]. He donated $3.4 million to his alma mater in 1979 to transform an on-campus chapel into a modernized computing center. The VCC is still operational today, and has transformed over the years to remain modern to technologies of the time.
Who was Alan M. Voorhees?
https://www.nae.edu/File.aspx?id=190871 Mr. Voorhees
Appearance
The chapel was built for the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1933 as an addition to the main building used on Rensselaer's campus, and its design is likely a reminder of the Sisters' history. Six ordinary women started the Sisters' organization in 1650 in southern France, where they continued practicing for nearly two hundred years before coming to America in 1836 [2]. Their province in Troy, NY, was assigned in 1860, and their very own chapel was built in 1933 near RPI's grounds. Its gothic architecture may be a homage to their roots in Le Puy, France, as the VCC appears similar to many buildings and cathedrals in the Sisters' hometown. Regarding the VCC itself, the exterior structure is composed of Weymouth granite and contains composition granite trim and piers [1]. Inside the building lies stained-glass windows, painted murals, and marble statuary and altars.
History
The gothic-inspired building was first erected for the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1933 as a chapel [1]. They used it until 1958, when Rensselaer acquired the building and started renovations to adjoin a functioning library to the chapel. These renovations were completed in 1960, and the library operated in that location for another sixteen years. In 1976, the library was relocated to the Folsom Library, yet the chapel remained. Just three years later in 1979, the chapel was transformed into the Voorhees Computing Center (VCC), which still functions today as "the most unique computing center in the world" (former RPI President George Low). In 1980, the building received the Troy Chamber of Commerce Beautification Award to recognize the architectural design of Wallace, Floyd, Ellenzweig, Moore, Inc. in its recent transformation from chapel to technological hub [3].
Current Status
The Voorhees Computing Center is still active today. It serves as a help center for students having trouble with their devices run by the Information Services and Technology division of the CIO on RPI's campus [4]. It is also a hub for student-accessible printers and is often used as a place to study.
References
[1] “Chapel / Voorhees Computing Center.” Institute Archives and Special Collections. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Accessed February 3, 2023. https://archives.rpi.edu/institute-history/building-histories/chapel-voorhees-computing-center.
[2] “Our History.” Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, November 15, 2021. https://csjcarondelet.org/about/history/.
[4] “Help Desk.” Information Services and Technology. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Accessed February 3, 2023. https://dotcio.rpi.edu/services/support-and-training/help-desk.