The Ross building was originally the Hester gym built sometime after 1945. Milo Ross graduated from the Portland Bible Institute and became the president of George Fox University from 1954 to 1969. Milo Ross was hesitant in his capabilities as president at first, however he soon proved to be the revival that the University needed. Ross encouraged the building of the library, chapel services, dorms for married students, presidential housing, and parking lots. Ross also expanded the list of majors to offer psychology, music, and sociology majors as well. These additions were intended to help raise student enrollment and came at the price of increased tuition, student fees, and the college deficit. Although some of these innovations did not bear fruit during Ross’s presidency, they did increase student enrollment. This is why the Ross Building was dedicated to President Milo Ross on October 20, 1978, after the recycling of the Hester Gym.