Biography

The building known today as Academy Hall was built as Troy Public School 14 in 1923. The 55,000 sq. ft. building served as an elementary school located on the corner of 15th St. and College Ave. Rensselaer first expressed interest in purchasing School 14 from the Troy City School District in 1982, but could not reach an agreement. The School District made a proposal in 1986 to sell the school property to RPI in exchange for cash and RPI property on which to build a new school. This initial proposal was turned down by RPI. A more favorable proposal was accepted in 1990; Rensselaer would acquire School 14 plus seven acres of adjoining land for $2.1 million. RPI would not take possession of the property until the new School 14 was completed. The building was renamed Academy Hall in 1998. An extensive renovation was completed in 2003 and Academy Hall now houses the Dean of Students offices, Office of the First Year Experience and the F.E. Gallagher Memorial Student Health Center .