8A
KULTURE
THE UNIVERSITY OF HAALY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2006
Retired faculty stay nearby
Sprague Apartments house former KU faculty members
BY TYLER NOAH
Surroundedbycontraistingscholarship halls and student-populatedhars, the Sprague Apartments havea different kind of atmosphere. Located at 1400 Llac Lane, it is abuilding completely occupied by retired KU faculty members,who appreciate the convenience that Sprague offers.
Founded in 1960 by Elizabeth Cade Sprague, a former professor at the University of Kansas, the Sprague Apartments were erected as a memorial to Elizabeth's sister, Amelia. She donated money to the Kansas Endowment Association, a non-profit organization used for raising private funds beneficial to the University, and in 1960, a 10-apartment, red-brick apartment building was constructed with hopes of "providing furnished housing for retired faculty," said Daryl Beene, senior vice president of property for the Endowment Association and current coordinator of the Sprague Apartments.
Sprague was responsible for the establishment of home economics classes at the University, and taught from 1914 until her retirement in 1941. Sprague had always wanted to contribute to her surroundings, as her donation showed.
Most people know little about the Sprague Apartments, even though they are nestled amidst a flurry of student activity. Nevertheless, the facility is extremely rich in tradition and history. Stored under a coffee table in the lobby is a pair of scrapbooks documenting the timeline of Sprague and the lives of previous residents. There are pictures, postcards and newspaper clips that document an overwhelming sense of legacy and friendship.
Sprague sits on top of the 14th Street hill at the edge of campus. Six apartments contain two bedrooms, while the remaining three are single bedroom units. The main parking lot sits directly on campus only a few paces away, and with balconies overlooking the rear parking lot, residents can enjoy warmer days by sitting outside in a calm neighborhood near campus.
Surprisingly enough, Buene said he has no recollection of noise complaints as a result of the neighboring bar scene. The bars have never been an issue, he said. With scholarship halls at the foot of the Sprague parking lot, the immediate noise level is Kent to a minimum.
Not far away, residents can enjoy political, educational and community events put together by the Endacot Society, an association for retired faculty members.
Beene said that the complex consists of "a great group of people who can help each other if help is needed."
Residents must fulfill certain requirements in order to live at Sprague Apartments, but with a legacy spanning almost 50 years, Sprague Apartments still has a long waiting list.
Kansan correspondent Tyler Noah can be contacted at editor.kansan.com.
- Edited by Brett Bolton
Sacramento Pharma
Construction continues on Sprague Apartments in 1960. Sprague Apartments was built after Elizabeth Cade Spragan donated the money for it to the University.
Some of the first residences at Springs Apartments gather on its top balcony in the early 1990s. Springs Apartments is located east of Danforth Chapel, and houses retired faculty members.
Despite some renovations, Sprague Apartments appears much the same today as it did in 1960.
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