In a May 4, 2006 ceremony, Dean Donald Wilson formally renamed the freshman lecture hall in honor of the family who helped make its restoration possible—a family that includes four School of Medicine graduates.

From now on the freshman lecture hall will be known as the Taylor Lecture Hall. The Taylor Lecture Hall is named in gratitude for the generous contributions of Dr. Irving Taylor ('43), his son Bruce, Bruce's wife Ellen ('78), and Irving's nephews, Ron ('73) and Rick ('75).  Dr. Ron Taylor and Dr. Rick Taylor are both past presidents of the Medical Alumni Association.

"We knew we needed to look for supporters of the school to help with the cost," said the Dean at the dedication ceremony. "And we thought of the Taylor family." Thanks to the Taylors' help, the School of Medicine was able to make important technological and aesthetic improvements to the aging lecture hall. 

Located on the first floor of the Bressler Research Building, the Taylor Lecture Hall now shines brightly with state-of-the-art lighting and an upgraded sound system. Wireless internet service is available throughout to enable students to use their laptops during lectures. For Irving Taylor, who had his med school lectures in Davidge Hall, the best part may be the new seats. "They're softer than the hard old ones over there," he said with a laugh.

A plaque inside the lecture hall acknowledging the Taylor family's generosity includes the phrase 'Learning for Life.' Dr. Irving Taylor says this motto is "symbolic of what we, as doctors, should be doing. We should never stop studying. We should always keep trying to find ways of preventing or curing illness."

As part of the renovation, the lobby outside the lecture hall now features portraits of the School of Medicine deans dating back to 1807.