Beaver Tracks @ Oregon State University Libraries and Press

When Shepard Hall opened in 1909, it was also a space for the Y.M. and Y.W.C.A, as well as a variety of other student organizations. Nonetheless, since its original function was to support religious activities the school couldn't fund construction. The building has also been used for military-related housing, a hospital, and a women’s dorm. The university didn’t purchase Shepard until 1940 when the Speech and Dramatic Department moved in, but it was used for Vocational Education classes as early as 1927.