Ketter Hall is home to UB's renowned Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering. Earthquake engineering research at UB has led to applications being used worldwide to protect buildings from earthquake damage. Ketter is home to UB's world-renowned Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory.

Namesake

In naming the building after Robert L. Ketter (1928-1989), UB president from 1970 to 1982, an exception was made to the rule to not name campus buildings after living individuals. President Ketter was a noted engineer who oversaw construction of the North Campus during his tenure as president. He also strengthened research programs and initiated international programs in Korea, Japan and China. Earlier, he had served the university as first chair of the Department of Civil Engineering, dean of the Graduate School and vice president for facilities planning. He was also a founder and the first director of MCEER (Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research).

Historical research and photographs provided by University Archives.

Building Facts

Primary function: Academic

Tenants: Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER), Civil Engineering

Architect: Marcel Breuer and Associates (1981); Cannon Design (addition)

Completion date: August, 1981; Addition, 1989

Gross square feet: 44,231

Construction cost: $5,184,000