The structure known as the Samuelson Pavilion since 1994 was originally constructed in 1922 as a women's gymnasium, From 1965 until remodeled in 1994, it was used as an art building, specifically a studio for sculpture classes. The generosity of Jack Samuelson '46 and his wife, Sally '48, made possible the reconstruction and renovation into a student center with food service, a lounge, and recreational facilities.

Jack D. Samuelson, a Los Angeles native, graduated from Occidental College after attending Naval Officers School at Cornell University and participating in World War II. In 1946, he and his brother Robert founded Samuelson Brothers, to engage in general construction and commercial real estate development. After incorporation in 1957, he became president and chairman of the board. He was elected to the Occidental Board of Trustees in 1974, and has participated actively since that time, for many years serving as chair of the Grounds and Buildings Committee. He has been instrumental in the construction of a number of buildings on the Occidental campus. Other agencies, which he has served as a trustee, include Fuller Seminary and Southern California Presbyterian Homes. For his educational, community, and business activities, he has received numerous awards, including the Council for Advancement of Education Gold Medal Award as Volunteer of the Year in 1986. In 1997, Occidental conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Science upon Mr. Samuelson.

Sally Reid Samuelson, who graduated from Occidental in 1948, and Jack Samuelson were married in 1948 and are the parents of two sons and two daughters. Son Reid and daughter Laura are Occidental graduates. By Jean Paule