During my short lunch break today, I decided to take a walk around campus. I work at the Admissions office on campus, which allows me to give campus tours regularly. So, as I was walking around, I thought there couldn't possibly be something I hadn't seen before. To my surprise, though, I stumbled upon the old entrance of Reeve Hall. As soon as I saw it, I was struck by the beauty of it surrounded by absolute emptiness. While I stood there, I immediately wondered what the women's dormitory looked like in it's glory days and the history behind it.
Upon further research, I found that the idea of the women's dormitory was proposed first in 1904 by President Parsons. The actual dormitory was not finished until November 16, 1924. The opening of it was welcomed by a huge parade. At the time, Reeve Hall consisted of two wings with the entrance door placed between them. Over the entrance, gnomes were placed representing students of music, physical education, chemistry, and home economics. Up until 1959, the women's dormitory was the only living quarters on campus for women. In 1971, the dormitory was closed because of rising costs. It then became used for classrooms and offices until it was torn down in 1998.
It is shocking to me that such a beautiful building would be torn down. I find it ironic that in the span of only 74 years, people went from celebrating the opening of the dormitory to seeing it as a financial burden. In my opinion, if the university were to keep the charming structures from its history, enrollment could increase. Students want to walk around a place that is proud of its history, not one that ignores its existence.
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