As the faculty prepares for a move to the spacious and spectacular Eckstein Hall, my thoughts go back to my first day as a faculty member on October 15, 1946.  I was one of three new faculty members, all in their late 20’s, that joined a seasoned faculty that had kept the School intact during World War II.

I shared an office with one of my new colleagues and thus began my teaching career.  As we became adjusted to faculty life, we looked for an increase in the social opportunities among faculty members.  We decided to begin meeting for coffee at an agreeable hour on a daily basis.  We had difficulty in finding a location, facilities or equipment.  We located a room in the southeast corner of the basement.

The room was filled with donated law books that were not needed or essential for the library.  Some where on shelves, but many were piled on the floor.  We cleaned out a corner of the room, scrounged a table, some chairs, a coffee pot and a hot plate.  The faculty coffee (no tea) hour was in business.

We agreed on a ten o’clock meeting time and our original  3 member club began.  Our club grew when the Dean, Regent, and adjuncts joined us.  For many years the club prospered and it became a vital part of faculty life.  However, our coffee world came to a sudden end when the Milwaukee Fire Department discovered our set up during its annual inspection.  We were declared a fire hazard and closed down.

The coffee hour had become popular, so Father McGrath, our Regent, found some extra cash in the soda machine slush fund and built a small faculty lounge in the basement. 

The lounge was well appointed and we were able to discard the hot plate. The faculty coffee hour continued for many years but it moved to various locations in the building as conditions and needs changed.