Connected to the waist of Pulliam Hall is a building that houses a history of education. As with most things rich in history, there is more than meets the eye.

Still a muse of inspiration, the Wham Education Building is the location of a new Welcome Center, has inspired puns through campus culture, and is named in the spirit of George D. Wham who was dean of faculty after a 32-year tenure at SIUC.

At first glance, students may not even notice there is a separate building which houses its own wings and is different from Pulliam Hall entirely. With lovely clean right angles in all the right places and a towering peak that would only be complimented by church bells, Pullian Hall does catch the eye. Surely the building at its hip doesn’t have much to say, right? No, in fact this building is rich in practicality, diversity, and is a versatile contributor to SIU’s culture. You can say that where Pulliam Hall draws your attention, the Wham Education Building brushes at your sense of sentimentality.

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The buildings’ nostalgic nature stems from its rich history. George Dorritt Wham was an education professor at SIUC from 1906 to 1938, after which he became dean of faculty. In a tragic moment, then-President Henry Shryock died suddenly on April 13, 1932. Wham went on to undertake the role of presidency until the following election, which saw Roscoe Pulliam become his successor.

George Wham assumed the role as president during this sudden call to action. This gesture of maintaining a healthy order at SIUC is still alive and well within the Wham Building to this day. Resources continue to be pooled and donations are still being made to constructively build up the campus community.

Many students have a positive and fulfilling experience during their academic stint at the Wham building. Since it was built in 1964 it has housed many important aspects of education and continues to provide a healthy approach to learning. Currently, it houses several important offices outside of classrooms such as the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders – proving the lifeblood of SIU culture still pumps a vibrant red within Whams’ walls.

Though the building is versatile in its contributions to education and mental health, it has a jovial side to its impact on campus culture too. Back during the time of big hair and ripped jeans students had a little lighthearted fun with the buildings name. Campus culture back in the 80’s couldn’t help but think of the band with the same name minus the exclamation mark (Wham!). Though this inside joke wasn’t used in a classroom setting, being connected to a hit album from pop culture is never truly a bad thing. After all, we have all seen a name at least once that has transported our minds to a piece of pop culture.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Wham Education Building, you may be thinking, is it pronounced Wham with an ‘am’ like ham, or is it an “ah” sound like when the doc tells you to open your mouth and say ‘ah?’ Matthew Borowicz, of SIU’s staff directory was able to clear that up. It’s an “ah” sound, but that will never stop the young and inspired from being creative.

Borowicz also provided greater context to the joke, explaining it’s obviously a pun that is better suited amongst peers. Higher education encourages an atmosphere that has a healthy balance of hard work, the ability to express a creative side and respectful boundaries. The Wham Education Building seamlessly houses all these academic virtues.

Boundaries aren’t always as obvious as they seem, however. Since the Wham Building is connected to Pulliam Hall, it can sometimes be confusing for students to recognize the buildings have separate wings. If you aren’t careful, you may find yourself in the Wham Building while expecting to be in Pulliam Hall.

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Campus culture and student success continue to receive investments through the opening of a new multipurpose Welcome Center. Room 112 in the Wham Education Building showcases renovated colorful wall graphics, a shiny new glass white board, and is capped off with a larger-than life mural of Saluki dogs walking through campus. This mural resembles a modern fresco and aims to give students a sense of unity and pride during everyday campus life.

The impacts on campus community are alive and well as new plans and ideas are to come for the Wham Education Building. The excitement around this renovation was expressed by current faculty and staff. The elation of being able to provide an inspiring academic environment is shared around the horn by students and faculty alike.

This sentiment of a healthy environment and a strong culture is mirrored by Dean M. Cecil Smith when remarking on their excitement for the room 112 upgrade. Smith said the room is so students feel a part of the School of Education through an expression of togetherness and community.

“They’re a part of us, and we’re a part of them. They matter to us, and this helps show that,” Smith said.

Generosity and giving back are integral parts of a healthy and welcoming community. We can see through the donations and continuous work, a call to action is being upheld. Continuing the pursuit of education highlights the special prevenance of these spaces. At SIU Carbondale, an environment such as this can be found at the Wham Education Building, while its pulse is felt all throughout campus.

George D. Wham spent his career as an academic, and 90 years ago he accepted a call to action that maintained order within SIUC. Today, his building is connected to his successor, Pulliam.

With the aid of faculty and students alike, this strong campus bond is paired to an academic environment set to nurture it all and can be found in the spirit of the Wham Education Building.

Just as culture and knowledge stand the test of time, so do the leaders of the past. Those with great impact leave lasting impressions. Remembered through the thread of a common creed, and preserved in a community that builds upon the past, both Pulliam and Wham remain side by side and steadfast.

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