The History of Eastern. 200 300 400 500 100 200 300 400 500 100 200 300 400 500 100 200 300 400 500 100 200 300 400 500 100 Building History Former Presidents.

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Building History

Former Presidents

Residence Halls

AcademicBuildings

Fun Facts

What was the first building on Eastern’s campus?

Old Main

Old Main was the first building on Eastern’s campus, serving as the sole building for the first ten years of the

schools history.

What is the oldest residence hall in Illinois?

Pemberton

Openings its doors in 1909, Pemberton was the first of its kind in the state, with Senator Stranton C.

Pemberton being instrumental in the passage of the bill allowing for the construction of the building. There

were originally 100 female students living in the building, with room and board being $4.00 per week in 1909.

What was the last building added during Mr. Lord’s presidency?

Student Services Building

Originally known as the Practical Arts Building, this building was completed in 1929 and formed the south border of the

original campus.

What building first served as a Laboratory School for Kindergarten

through 9th grade?

Buzzard Hall

Built in 1958, Buzzard first served as a Laboratory School for kindergarten through 9th grade. The lab school closed its doors at the end of the 1973-1974 school year as a result of the declining interest in

university-operated laboratory schools.

Which building looks like one you would see as an office building in

the “business world”?

Lumpkin

Lumpkin was added to campus in 1990, with the architect specifically designing the building to look like one you would see in the “business

world,” since it houses the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences.”

Who was the most recent president to retire from Eastern?

Mr. Louis V. Hencken

First serving as the Director of Housing and Dining as Eastern, Mr. Hencken moved to become the interim Vice President for Student Affairs. He

then served as the interim President before becoming the President in 2001.

Who was the university’s first President to take office?

Mr. Livingston C. Lord

Mr. Lord came from Minnesota to served as President of Eastern. He stayed at

Eastern until his death at the age of 82.

Who was the first female President of Eastern?

Dr. Carol D. Surles

Dr. Surles came to Eastern in 1999, and was not only the first female to hold the position as President, but also the first

African American.

Who was President when our university became known as Eastern Illinois University?

Dr. Quincy Van Ogden Doudna

Dr. Doudna came to Eastern in 1956, and became known as “The Builder’ of Eastern.” The

university grew from 190 acres with 11 buildings to 316 acres with 35 buildings.

Who was President when the Laboratory School was closed?

Dr. Gilbert Cortland Fite

Dr. Fite was president from 1971-1977, during which time Eastern students were given the right to vote in Coles County.

Which residence hall primarily houses freshmen?

Carman

Carman was built in 1971, and is the largest resident hall on campus. It was

named after Ruth Carman, a faculty member from 1914 to 1953.

What is the only residence hall that freshmen cannot live in?

Stevenson

Stevenson is the only residence hall where men and women can reside on the same floor. This is because it is set up in suite style living. Students must either have 60 or more semester hours or be

21 or older to live in Stevenson.

What is the area known as where fraternities and sororities are housed?

Greek Court

Greek Court was built in four phases, and houses 18 fraternities and sororities. The

buildings are designed in suite format, where 2 double rooms share a bathroom.

Which residence hall was the first one to be built in the South Quad?

Thomas Hall

Thomas is a four-floor all male hall built in 1963, and is able to accommodate 450 men. Thomas was named after Simeon E. Thomas, who was

employed by Livingston C. Lord as head and sole member of the Department of Social Science.

Which residence halls were originally built with the intent to be

temporary housing?

The Triad

The Triad, composed of Ford, McKinney, and Weller was built in 1958 as temporary housing, but were so well

received, they were remodeled and made permanent. They are named after three outstanding female faculty members:

Ellen Ford, Latin; Isabel McKinney, English; and Annie Weller, Geography.

Which building was the second major building constructed on

Eastern’s campus?

Blair

Blair Hall was completed in 1913, and took a mere $75,000 to build. It is named after Mr. F.G.

Blair, who served as the first supervisor of the training department before he left Charleston to

become State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

In what building is the Writing Center located?

Coleman

Coleman was built in 1965 and is named after Dr. Charles Coleman, eminent

Lincoln historian and long-time member of the History Department faculty.

Which building is named after the first Director of the School of

Industrial Arts and Technology?

Klehm Hall

Klehm Hall was built in 1967, and is named after Walter Klehm who was the first Director of the School of Industrial

Arts and Technology.

Which building now sits where a Outdoor Theater used to?

Life Science Building

The Life Science Building opened in 1963, and was built where an amphitheater used to sit.

Completed in 1950, the ampitheater was removed when the Life Sciences Building was being built

from 1961 to 1963.

Which building has columns which used to frame an entrance for a

roadway entering campus?

Physical Sciences Building

The Physical Sciences Building was built during Dr. Buzzard’s time as President

(1940), with the columns being a gift from the class of 1915.

What is the name of Eastern’s former dog?

Napoleon

Napoleon was a golden retriever who wandered in and out of classrooms and the campus community took care of him for nearly fifteen years until his death in 1960. He is buried beside a bench just

south of Old Main.

What athletic conference is Eastern a part of?

Ohio Valley Conference

How many buildings are currently on campus?

72

In 1899, there was one building, but we now have 72!

How many people were in Eastern’s first graduating class?

4

There were three men

and one woman.

Who was the first president of Eastern?

Samuel M. Inglis

Contrary to popular belief, Mr. Lord was not the first President of Eastern. Samuel M. Inglis was first selected; however, he

died before officially taking office.