Ohio State's New Dorms Named After Veterans

When four new residence halls and one dining facility open this fall as part of Ohio State University's North Residential District Transformation project, the university will carry on a tradition ofnaming buildings after war veterans who went to Ohio State.

Below are the stories behind the names.

1. Bowen House

Dr. Clotilde Dent Bowen became the first African-American woman to graduate from Ohio State's medical school as well as the first African-American female physician in the U.S. Army. In 1967, during the Vietnam War, she became the first African-American woman to direct a hospital clinic. Bowen was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Legion of Merit in 1971 for her work establishing drug treatment centers and her efforts to end racial conflicts during the Vietnam War. In 1974, she was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

2. Curl Hall

Lt. Col. James G. Curl, a 1940 graduate, was a Columbus native and decorated member of the U.S. Army Air Forces who earned the Silver Star Medal. Curl was killed in March 1945, just as World War II was nearing its end, when his fighter plane was shot down over Germany. Curl Drive, which has since been removed, was named after him.

3. Scott House

Robert R. Scott was born in Massillon, Ohio, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1938 after attending Ohio State. He was killed while aboard the U.S.S. California during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The below-deck compartment where Scott was stationed had been hit by a torpedo and was filling with water, but he stayed behind to operate the compressor, which provided air for crew members trapped below. Scott was the first former Ohio State student to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The U.S.S. Scott, a destroyer escort, was named in his honor.

4. Raney House

Alice Rebecca Raney graduated in 1939 and worked in public health before enlisting in the U.S. Army and joining the Army Nurse Corps. She became ill in 1944 while on active duty in England and was the first Ohio State alumna to die during World War II.

5. Torres House

Private First Class Omar Ernesto Torres was born in Chicago. He studied political science and Chinese while working part-time in maintenance and security for Ohio State libraries. An ROTC member, Torres was called to active duty during his sophomore year. On Aug. 27, 2007, he was killed in Baghdadwhen an explosive detonated near his unit.

--By Shyla Nott