Hall
Portrait: Stanford
Year Built: 1957
Male or Female? Male
They Call Themselves: Griffins. They used to
call themselves Studs. The switch was made in February 1999 to
honor Father Robert Griffin, CSC, University chaplain for 30 years
and a campus icon until his death in October 1999.
Named For: Grattan T. Stanford, who underwrote
construction of the dorm. Stanford was an Indiana native and 1904
Notre Dame graduate. He spent three decades as general counsel
for Sinclair Oil Corporation before serving as a trustee for the
University.
Distinguishing Features: Stanford is an example
of the late 1950s' architecture that characterizes several dorms
on campus. The dorm's boxy shape and unadorned exterior inspired
residents to nickname it "the cinderblock palace of love." Stanford
is connected at the front entrance and lobby with Keenan Hall,
but Stanford residents enter only through the doors under their
signage and vice versa. The two men's dorms also share Holy Cross
Chapel, which features a 13-foot crucifix designed specially for
the space by sculptor Ivan Mestrovic.
History Made There: When Stanford first opened,
it received attention for its in-dorm study halls and television
lounges, which were an innovation at the time.
They Lived There: Former Indiana Governor Joe
Kernan '68; football standout Terry Hanratty '69; Michael Ferguson
'92, U.S. representative for New Jersey's 7th District. Swimmer
Andrew McKay, who represented the Cayman Islands in the 2004 Olympics,
is a current resident.
Lore: Stanford officially consists of four floors.
There is, however, a room No. 500, accessible only by the stairwell
that leads to the roof. The actual contents of the room are unknown
to residents, and students may not live there, but it is a favorite
prank-choice among residents during annual spring room picks.
Several years ago, Stanford was banned from the North Dining Hall
after an especially rowdy meal involving a food fight. For a full
semester, all Stanford men had to walk to South Dining Hall for
every meal, a relatively long hike for on-campus residents.
Traditions: Stanford's signature event is the
After Hours Benefit Bash, held each spring at the Rolfs Sports
Recreation Center. Students donate $5 to participate in the late-night
event, which includes a three-on-three basketball tournament,
a poker tournament, music and dancing, and other activities. Since
its inception in 1999, the Bash has raised more than $35,000 for
orphanages in Santiago, Chile. During the Christmas season, the
men of Stanford Hall participate in "Griffin Giving," supporting
local charities through donations; they also host Stanford Saint
Nick Day for local underprivileged children. "Iron Grill," a campuswide
steak-grilling competition, is a popular springtime event. "Lakings"
are an often uncomfortable ritual: Residents are thrown into Saint
Mary's Lake by dorm mates on their birthdays.
(October 2005)
