Robert Crawford wiped tears from his eyes Saturday afternoon after a 115-year-old home near the Kansas University campus was named after his wife, Wilna, who died in 2004.

A crowd gathers at the Juanita and Reginald Strait Park and the Wilna Crawford Community Center at 1346 La., a new center and gathering place for Kansas University students who live in scholarship halls. The dedication of the former home of the late Juanita and Reginald Strait was Saturday.

“Joyful day,” he said. “She would’ve really loved it.”

The house, at 1346 La., was dedicated as the Wilna Crawford Community Center on Saturday. It has been renovated as a gathering place for students who live in KU’s 11 scholarship halls, a community of reduced-rate living quarters.

“It makes things a lot easier and it kind of emphasizes the sense of community that we have,” said sophomore Natalie Penn, Topeka.

Robert Crawford lived in a scholarship hall during his time at KU and said he is proud Wilna’s legacy will live on.

“I know they will put it to a good use,” he said. “I think they’ve done a remarkable job.”

The project was funded primarily by a $300,000 gift from Wilna Crawford’s daughter, Jann Rudkin, and her husband, Tom, of Sunnyvale, Calif.

Jann Rudkin presented a eulogy about her mom’s life to more than 100 people who attended a dedication ceremony in front of the home. Guests included KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway and several family members of the Crawford’s.

“Two years ago when I was a student, the house had many visible problems, including a hole in the porch,” said Becca Evanhoe, former president of the All Scholarship Hall Council, while standing on the refurbished and recently painted gray porch.

Other renovations to the home include a new foundation, roof replacement and interior work. Wooden shutters, a porch swing and a stone patio make the two-story home stand out.

A large fountain stands in a newly landscaped park named after the late Juanita and Reginald Strait, the couple who used to live in the home.

The scholarship hall complex director will live in the house, and the facility includes a kitchen, conference room and event room.