Bethune-Cookman University

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Tours

  1. Official B-CU Interactive Campus Tour

    Bethune-Cookman University is the result of a merger in 1923 of two Florida institutions, Cookman Institute out of Jacksonville, Florida founded in 1872 by the Reverend D.S.B. Darnell, and the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute for Girls of Daytona Beach, Founded in 1904 by Mary McLeod Bethune. She started the school with $1.50, five little girls, her son Albert and faith in God.

    Stops

    1. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center

      This building, erected 2003, is one of the newest buildings on campus and it put Bethune-Cookman College on the main thoroughfare of International Speedway Blvd. This building has a 2500-seat auditorium with dressing rooms, a green room and the Bronson Executive Center. In front of this building is the statue of our Founder Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.  Bethune-Cookman University has been a highly visible part of this community since 1904. We have an annual economic impact of over $168 million in this area, and we are proud to have our building reflect our involvement in the community. Our B-CU box office (that is a Ticketmaster distributor), FM radio station, and an Art Gallery is also located within this building.

    2. Center for Civic Engagement

      This building was acquired in 2002 and has the offices of Athletics, Graduate Studies, Transportation, the Campus Photographer, the Bookstore, the Wildcat Student Center and the Division of Student Involvement.

      The Student Government Association offices and Student Activities Board offices are also located in this building along with the student lounge and our WOW Café inside of game room. We also have our student gym located in this building as well.

      This building is named in honor of Michael and Libby Johnson.

    3. Gale L. Lemerand Nursing Building

      The Gale L. Lemerand Nursing Building was opened in 2007. It falls under the College of Health Sciences and Dr. Deanna Wathington is the Executive Dean. This building houses offices, classrooms and simulation labs, lecture halls and the Odessa Chambliss Center for Health Equity (entrance located on Lockhart Street).

      The School of Nursing (with Sandra Tucker as Dean), Department of Aging Studies, Department of Counseling & Psychology and the Health Careers Program comprise the College of Health Sciences.

    4. Larry R. Hadfield Athletic Training Center

      Opened in October 2012 and is the 2nd building on campus named after Larry Handfield. Built on donations from alumni, the building houses a state of the arts athletic weight room, sports medicine facilities and meeting rooms. The Strength & Conditioning and Football Coaching staff are located in this building. It is home to the CatEye Network which is a video crew and network that documents all of our athletic programs. The building also houses the Walk of Fame that chronicles B-CU athletics from 1904 to present day.

       

    5. Wendell P. Holmes, Jr., Business Building

      This building was erected in 1998 and houses the College of Business and Entrepreneurship Mrs. Ida Wright is the Acting Dean and the building contains offices for faculty, lecture rooms, hospitality management program facilities- culinary arts lab, hotel management lab and conference rooms.

    6. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Fine Arts Building

      The Fine Arts building is home to the Dr. LaDoris McClaney School of Performing Arts and Communication where Dr. Hiram Powell is the Dean. This building was built in 1991 and has lecture rooms, conference rooms, a computer lab, art studio, the Harvey W. Memorial Gallery and the Marian Speight Language Lab. The school houses our Music, Speech communication, Theater Arts and Mass Communication majors. The debate teams, campus newspaper, magazine and other student publications are housed here.

    7. Taylor G. Miller Procurement

      This building was constructed in 1993 and now is the home of the Division of Development and Academic Integration. The Receiving & Storage Dock and Mailroom are also housed here. Our Mailroom just started selling boxes and stamps so you can send items out from the school.

    8. Oswald P. Bronson, Sr. Complex

      The original building was erected in 1978 and underwent major renovations in the late 1990s, adding a second building. It was named in honor of our fourth president Dr. Oswald P. Bronson, Sr. and a 1950 graduate. Dr. Bronson was president from 1975-2004.

    9. Richard V. Moore Gymnasium

      Named in honor of our third president Dr. Richard V. Moore this building was erected in 1954 and renovated in 1992. This building has an arena and training facilities, office of the Physical Education Department and classrooms. The Gym is used for the Wildcat (basketball and volleyball) home games.

                              Weight training facilities are housed east of the gymnasium and have been dedicated to recognize the contributions of former Athletic Director Lloyd “Tank” Johnson and former Football Coach Larry Little.  

       

    10. Gross Science Hall and R.J. Gainous Annex Building

      This is the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics and Dr. Herbert Thompson is Dean. The building was erected 1948 in honor of a major donor and Trustee Mr. John O. Gross. The Alice G. Mickens Lecture Hall was added in 1973 and has a Lecture Hall, computer lab, and she was a member of the Board of Trustee and became a major donor. In 1989 to honor the former Chairman of Science Division and a College Executive Vice President and 1951 graduate the Rabie J. Gainous, Jr. Annex was added. In this building you will find- offices for faculty, classrooms, supply rooms, heavy equipment room, a darkroom, and an Observatory. 

    11. Judson-McPhillips Office of Development

      The building formerly known as the Brunson House was built in 1974. It was expanded and renovated in 1998 and renamed in honor of Dr. George McPhillips, a Trustee and major donor. It houses Institutional Advancement, Alumni Affairs, Athletic Booster Club Operations, and the Public, Church and Government Relations Offices.

    12. Dr. Ernest C. Cook Financial Aid Building

      This building was erected in 1974. It underwent renovations in 1982 and expanded in 1998 and was renamed. This building honors Ernest C. Cook Sr., a 1951 graduate and retired Vice-President for Fiscal Affairs from 1976-1995. The VP for Enrollment Management and Financial Aid are housed in this building.

       

    13. Ann Taylor Green General Studies Building

      Site of the McLeod Hospital and Training school for nurses established in 1911 by Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune and named in honor of her parents Samuel Patsy McLeod. This was the first hospital facility for the African American community for Daytona Beach. Dr. Texas A. Adams a Meharry Medical College graduate was the first doctor to practice here. In 1949 it was integrated into the Halifax Hospital District. It was last renovated in 1988 and presently houses the College of Undergraduate Studies, faculty offices, reading and math labs. This building was named in honor of Dr. Ann Taylor Green who spent 38 years at B-CU as an instructor, provost and vice president in 2015

    14. Faith Hall

      The school moved from Oak Street to the original Faith Hall in October 1907. This building was so called partly in memory of Scotia Seminary (the school Mrs. Bethune attended) and partly because it was to be an exemplification of what could be brought about by faith. The original building caught fire and burned down, in 1934 the present Faith Hall was built and it was expanded in 1978. This hall houses the offices of the Center for Information Technology.

    15. White Hall

      Whitehall was built in 1916. Bethune-Cookman’s first major donor, Mr. Thomas J. White, donated the money for this building. This building first contained administrative offices, classrooms, a bookstore, conference room and an all-purpose room. Presently administrative offices are housed here which includes the University President’s Office (Dr. Edison O. Jackson, President). This is also the location for the Heyn Memorial Chapel, the Cashier’s Office, the Provost’s Office (Dr. Hellena Waldron, Provost), and other administrative offices. The building was renovated in 1962, 1974, 2000, 2012 and completed in 2013 and is considered a National Historic Landmark.

    16. Gertrude Hotchkiss Heyn Chapel

      In 1961, Mrs. Gertrude Heyn, a member of the Women’s Advisory Board and a major donor renovated the all-purpose room to become a 450-seat Heyn Chapel. The Chapel was renovated in 1964, 2002 and 2012.

    17. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Gravesite

      Mrs. Mary Bethune died May 18, 1955 two months before her 80th birthday. She is interred (buried) on this site. On October 3rd, Bethune-Cookman University’s Founders Day, homage is paid to her, as well as all alumni gatherings such as National Convention and during the Commencement celebration and by the Women’s Advisory Board on the anniversary of her death. 

    18. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation

      The home of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune is now called the Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation. The Foundation is a National Historic Landmark and well as an United Methodist Historic Site. Dr. Ashley Robertson is the Curator and Director of the Foundation. The Foundation contains private mementos and pictures that belonged to Mrs. Bethune. Tours of the Foundation are conducted daily and on Saturdays by appointment. 

    19. Ranslow Hall

      Ranslow Teachers Lodge was erected in 1948. It was named to honor Cynthia Ranslow, a member of the Women’s Advisory Board. This building originally housed single female teachers in 1962. The Hall was also used to accommodate parents visiting students. It was renovated to house women students and renovated again 1977 to accommodate faculty offices and classrooms. 

    20. Carl S. Swisher Memorial Library

      Carl S. Swisher Library, erected in 1971, was named in honor of Trustee and major donor Dr. Carl Swisher, who worked with Departments of Health Education and Welfare. Besides the many volumes of books, magazines and periodicals the students also have many other resources at the disposal, such as computer laboratories, small conference rooms for group study sessions and a non-print media room. The library also houses one of Florida’s largest United Methodist Church libraries, Bethune-Cookman Archives and is home for the Rosewood Exhibit. In 1984 a TV Studio was added and in 1996 the Media/ Technology Labs were installed.

      In 2014, the first floor of the library began staying open for 24 hours a day. Dr. Tasha Lucas-Youmans is the Dean & Chief Librarian.

    21. LLC Resident Complex

      The Living- Learning Center (LLC) was designed for scholarly student and is the university’s first designated honors dormitory. Erected in 1988, the LLC is comprised of four building- The core building Dr. James E. Huger, Sr., Academic and Administrative Building, named for Dr. James Huger who was the Development Director for the City of Daytona beach and before that was the business manager at Bethune-Cookman University for 24 years, contains a library/ media resource center, lecture hall, apartments for visiting lecturers, private visitation rooms, private study rooms, student lounge, vending area, laundry facilities and administrative offices. The three residence halls are connected to the administrative building by open-air walkways. The residences-Lee Hall, named in honor of Ada Lee of Jacksonville, houses female freshmen, Moore Hall honors Alice Moore a member of the Board of Trustees is a female upper-class dorm and Thompson Hall named after Herbert Thompson a local mortician, houses male students.

    22. Eugene Zimmerman Scholarship House

      Two scholarship houses were erected in the fall of 2006. Bethune-Cookman University opened the Eugene Zimmerman Scholarship House for males and the Alexis Pugh Scholarship House for the females. The two houses were sponsored by two donors of the Board of Trustees. With the ever growing university’s population the two scholarship houses, which can both accommodate up to 18 students were welcomed additions to the university’s housing sector. Residents must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. In addition, residents are required to work together to establish a budget, plan and shop for meals, cook, clean and study together. 

       

    23. Alexis Pugh Scholarship House

      Two scholarship houses were erected in the fall of 2006. Bethune-Cookman University opened the Eugene Zimmerman Scholarship House for males and the Alexis Pugh Scholarship House for the females. The two houses were sponsored by two donors of the Board of Trustees. With the ever growing university’s population the two scholarship houses, which can both accommodate up to 18 students were welcomed additions to the university’s housing sector. Residents must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. In addition, residents are required to work together to establish a budget, plan and shop for meals, cook, clean and study together. 

       

    24. Texas A. Adams MD - Infirmary

      T.A. Adams Infirmary, home to the Student Health Services and the Counseling Center was erected in 1968 and is named to honor the first doctor on campus Dr. Texas A. Adams. 

    25. Helen Kottle Memorial Building

      Mr. Louis Kottle, trustee and major donor to Bethune-Cookman, wanted to honor his wife and so we have the Helen Kottle Memorial Building which houses the College of Education, including the Teacher Education Institute. This building has 12 classrooms, large lecture hall and two computer labs. Dr. Willis Walter, Jr. is the dean.

    26. Charles C. Parlin Student Center

      Erected in 1966 and named in honor of Board of Trustee member and major donor Charles C. Parlin, this building houses the Student Success Center (academic and career advising), offices of the Chaplain, WBCC Radio Station, Starbucks and a 24 hour computer lab. 

    27. Department of Public Safety

      These trailers now house the Department of Public Safety and Security. Chief Melvin Williams, a retired police officer, is the director.

    28. Ja-Flo Davis Residence Hall

      Women’s residence hall, constructed in 1972, and is now a female hall housing 200 students. This building is named to honor James E. Davis, former Trustee and his wife, Mrs. Florence Davis and member of the Women’s Advisory Board. 

    29. Ferris Meigs Residence Hall

      Another women’s residence hall that was erected in 1956 and named to honor Mrs. Ferris J. Meigs, a member of the Women’s Advisory Board, and Board of Trustee. It houses 200 women students. This building does not currently house students.

    30. Marjorie Joyner Residence Hall

      Houses female freshman students. It was erected in 1978 honoring Dr. Marjorie Stewart Joyner, a Trustee and Donor from 1937-1990. This building houses 250 students.

    31. Flora B. Curtis Residence Hall

      Erected in 1922 as a female dormitory. Mrs. Flora B. Curtis would buy carrots and peas from the garden located across from Faith Hall and was very impressed with Mrs. Bethune’s accurate and clear record keeping. She became a member of the Women’s Advisory Board and left $80,000 in her will for the school. This building once housed upper class students. 

    32. Harrison Rhodes Building

      Erected in 1941, it was named in honor of Mr. Harrison Rhodes who was an author of sports books and became a major donor. This building housed the library until 1971. Renovated and re-opened in the Fall of 2015, this state of the art building now houses the School of Liberal Arts where Dr. Janice Allen Kelsey is the dean. 

    33. DeWitt C. LeFevre Residence Hall

      DeWitt C. LeFevre Hall was erected in 1966 in honor of a member of the Board of Trustees and a major donor Mr. DeWitt C. LeFevre. This building was renovated after a fire and houses 125 men. 

    34. Dr. Richard V. Moore Gravesite

      This is the gravesite of Dr. Richard V. Moore who was the third President and served Bethune-Cookman College for 27 years. Dr. Moore died in January 1994. He was an outstanding educator and civil rights leader in Florida and a much-loved President. Bethune-Cookman College has had only six presidents. His home is across the street and after his wife’s death was turned into the B.J. Moore Center for Integrated Environmental Science which is under Graduate Studies Program. 

    35. Julia E. Robinson Music Bldg. & Annex & Larry R. Handfield Music Building

      The building was erected in 1968 in memory of Mrs. Julia E. Robinson. Mrs. Robinson’s husband, a black retired railroad clerk, happened to be on the Cookman campus and Dr. Richard V. Moore, president at that time, learned that this elderly gentleman from Jacksonville had $100,000 that he was going to invest in stocks and bonds. Not wanting to miss a golden opportunity, Dr. Moore convinced the man to donate $50, 000 and the college would name the building after him. He chooses instead to have the building named after his wife. This building houses the offices of Concert Chorale and Bethune-Cookman Bands, classrooms, and the Cultural Affairs Program. In 2004 the Larry R. Handfield Annex was added and is named in honor of Mr. Larry Handfield a 1978 graduate and major donor and member of the Board of Trustee. 

    36. Vera Friend Maintenance Center

      The Physical Plant service units were built in 1968 and had major renovation in 1974 when the laundry added a green-house to this department in 1975- greenhouse, laundry Maintenance Building, Perkins Information Center and Air Conditioning Units.