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Many of the campus buildings constructed between 1938 and 1942 were ornamented with carved sandstone bas-relief sculptures. These buildings include the Manual Arts Building, Spindler Hall for Women, Vandercook Hall for Men, and The Theatre (corner of Oakland Dr. and Oliver St.). The main entrance of Spindler Hall, facing Oliver St., features the building name inscribed above the doors, with a carved relief on either side. Spindler Hall was completed in 1940.
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Only the Spindler Hall reliefs have titles incorporated into the works. They depict female students in a mentoring relationship with an older woman. The titles "Critic", "Director", "Dean", and "Advisor" all reflect positions of mentoring or guidance. While today's common usage lends negative connotations to "critic", a more classical definition of the word is 'one who expresses reasonable opinions or judgments on truth, righteousness, beauty or value'. The titles also are a direct reference to Lavina Spindler, who held positions as Director, Dean and Advisor while at Western.
Lavina Spindler served at Western from 1906 to 1939. Her positions included Director of the Campus School, Dean of Women, and Freshman Advisor.
It is not known who designed any of the bas-reliefs. Through the years many faculty have freely given time and talent in support of the institution, and one of them may have designed these sculptures. (John Kemper, faculty from 1942 to 1970, is well-known for his graphic designs and murals, but the bas-reliefs pre-date his tenure.) Lydia Siedschlag, faculty and, later, head of the Art Department, decorated the interiors of all building built from 1936 through the 1950's, but there is no indication that she dealt with the exterior facades as well.