The Naming of Claudia Cohen Hall
March 25, 2008, Volume 54, No. 26	Print Issue

The Victorian Gothic-style building that has been known as Logan Hall for over a century, will soon have a new name: Claudia Cohen Hall, in memory of a Penn alumna and SAS Overseer.

The University plans to rename Logan Hall (above) in fulfillment of a 1995 agreement with University Trustee and Wharton School Overseer Ronald O. Perelman, W ’64, WG ’66. At that time, Ron Perelman committed an unprecedented $20 million to renovate the Perelman Quadrangle (Almanac April 25, 1995). The largest single gift for campus life in Penn’s history, Mr. Perelman’s contribution made it possible for the University to restore the buildings at the historic core of its campus—Houston Hall, Irvine Auditorium, Logan Hall, and College Hall. Mr. Perelman stated in 1995 that “[t]his gift expresses my deep regard for the formative role Penn has played in my life and the life of my family for three generations.” At that time, in recognition of this exceptional generosity, the University gave Mr. Perelman the option to rename Logan Hall. Now, at Mr. Perelman’s request and with continued gratitude for his generosity, the University will rename Logan Hall in memory of his former wife, the late Claudia Cohen, CW ’72. Ms. Cohen was a journalist who proudly served as an Overseer of the School of Arts and Sciences. Cohen Hall will be a lasting tribute both to Ms. Cohen’s loyalty to her alma mater and the devotion she inspired in all who loved her. The name change will take place over the summer in order to be ready for the fall 2008 semester.

Logan Hall was the second building constructed by the University on its West Philadelphia campus. It opened for use as the University’s Medical School in 1874. Originally known as Medical Hall, it was renamed in 1906 in honor of James Logan, William Penn’s colonial secretary and a founding trustee of the College of Philadelphia, Penn’s predecessor institution. The building became home of the Wharton School for many years before serving the School of Arts and Sciences. The building, which was renovated in 1996 with designs by Thomas W. Richards and Venturi Scott Brown as part of the Perelman Quad project, is part of the National Register’s University of Pennsylvania Historic District.