The News Journal is getting quite a response on our request for information about the Oct. 18 Throwback Thursday photo.

“I expect you’ll get a number of responses to this one, quite possibly from persons in attendance that day,” wrote Wilmington College Director of Public Relations Randy Sarvis in an email to the News Journal.

“That was D-Day at Wilmington College, the code name for “Dorm Day” in April 1948 when new Wilmington College President Sam Marble jumped atop a podium to rally students to buy into his idea that they — students — would build a much-needed men’s dormitory to house the influx of men attending on the newly instated G.I. Bill following World War II.

“Moments later, everyone relocated at the site of the proposed building to find a couple dozen shovels for the symbolic groundbreaking. The cash-strapped College received many gifts of building supplies and assistance from community members, faculty and staff, but this ambitious endeavor was largely ‘built by students’.

“The project garnered national and international media attention and interest from leaders of business and industry, even U.S. presidents, for the institution’s spirit of self-help and can-do attitude. While the scope of such a project would not be possible today with construction codes and OSHA regulations, Marble Hall not only still stands 70 years later on WC’s campus, it is a fully functioning residence hall.”