The library was officially named the Sarah Shannon Stevenson Science Library in September, 1976. The “engineering” addition came later. Little is known about Mrs. Stevenson. She was known to enjoy a game of poker along with a glass of whiskey. She was the two-time President of the Junior League. She was partial to crisp suits and white gloves. Her portrait, painted by Hungarian-American artist Sandor Bodo, shows her snappily dressed, replete with a gold lame shawl and hangs inside the library to the right of the Service Desk next to her husband, Eldon. Mr. Eldon Stevenson was a member of the Board of Trust at Vanderbilt and he led the fund-raising effort that resulted in the building of the Stevenson Center.
We are holding Sarah Shannon Stevenson Day on Tuesday, September 18th. We encourage you to join us in the lobby of the Sarah Shannon Stevenson Science and Engineering Library for popcorn between 10-11am and a cupcake at 1pm to celebrate this great lady and the amazing library named in her honor.
