The design and building of the Krannert Center was a collaborative effort that was achieved through the work of many individuals and organizations.
At first, Herman Krannert did not know what he wanted to give to the University so a committee was formed in order to create proposals. This committee was composed of the following individuals:
Dean Allen Weller
Prof. Paul S. Pettinga
Prof. L. A. Hiller
Prof. Ludwig E. Zirner-SOM
Prof. Joseph W. Scott-Dept. of Speech
-Supervisor
of Dramatic Productions
-Director
of Lincoln Hall Theater
Prof. Russell N. Sullivan-Dean of College of Law
-Chairman
of University Bldg. Committee
Prof A. Richard Williams-Dept. of Architecture
Prof. Margaret Erlanger-Head of Dept. of Dance
Prof. Mark H. Hindsey-Director of Bands
Students- Mary Greenway
John L. Lundsten
Max Abramovitz and Herman Krannert grew up in Chicago and both attended Crane Technological High School along with Homer Livingston, Chairman of the Board of First National Bank of Chicago which helped with some of the original financing. The architectural firm of Harrison and Abramovitz was hired for the design of the Center. Max Abramovitz also designed Assembly Hall at the University of Illinois and Lincoln Center Philharmonic Hall. Work was coordinated between Urbana, Indianapolis, and New York (at the offices of Harrison and Abramovitz). The head architect was Max Abramovitz while the assistants were William S. Posten and Vincent Rousseau. The landscape architect was Stuart Dawson of Sasaki, Dawson, DeMay Associates of Watertown, Massachusetts.
The general contractor was Turner Construction
Company of Chicago, NY, Boston, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.
The actual construction of the Center required the efforts of over 300 laborers.
These included: electricians, plumbers, iron workers, stone setters, carpenters,
laborers, pipe fitters, sheet metal workers, excavators, roofers, masons,
terrazzo workers, insulators, painters, tile setters, marble setters, and
pavers.
Other individuals responsible for the financial end of the project as well as the overseeing of the project included:
George Elliott- Chairman of Finance for Inland
Container Corporation
Don B. Earnhart- Vice President and Treasurer of Inland Container Corporation
Secretary of the Krannert Foundation and
The Krannert Charitable Trust
P. F. Holton- President of Inland Container Corporation
Director of the Krannert Foundation
Robert S. Ashby- attorney of the law firm of Barnes, Hickam, and Boyd
From the University:
President David D. Henry
Vice President and Comptroller- H. O. Farber
Jack W. Peltason- Chancellor
Dean Allen S. Weller of the College of FAA
Charles S. Havens-Director of Physical Plant Planning and Construction
John Burrell- Director of the Krannert Center
J.C. Colvin- Executive Director of the University of Illinois Foundation