What's in a Name? Disque Hall
September 8, 2008
Have you ever wondered who Disque Hall is named after? R. C. Disque (1883-1968) began working at Drexel in 1918. During his long and varied career at Drexel, he was the dean of faculty, head of the electrical engineering department and dean of the School of Engineering. After the resignation of Drexel's fourth president, George Peters Rea, Disque served as interim president from 1944-1945.
A Drexel alumnus who studied here in the 1950s shared his memories of Dean Disque:
When one entered his office with a request to change something in his curriculum, or drop a course, or - well - anything, Dr. Disque would look down at him from his high-backed chair, with terrible, piercing eyes, and asked what you wanted, you usually quivered and quaked, and tremulously spoke your piece. Fortunately I was able to speak loudly, clearly and made my case in concise words - - and my request was granted. Of course it helped that I was a lot older than most of the students (W W 2, France to Czechoslovakia) and didn't quake!
His name was pronounced DIS-kway, in case you were wondering.