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• Pemberton Hall was opened in 1908. First residence hall in the state of Illinois and was named after Stanton Pemberton, Illinois State Senator. Housing all women Hall Council – First documented in 1931.
• Douglas Hall opened in 1953. First building on campus to house men
• Ford and McKinney Halls open in 1950 and Weller Hall opened in 1960.
• Greek Court began in 1980s-1990s and houses 19 organizations. Approximately 20% of the entire student population are Greek
• Taylor Hall opened in 1966 and was named after Edson H. Taylor Chair of math department from 1895-1944. Taylor Hall originally housed all men. Now housing both men and women on separate floors.
• Thomas Hall was opened in 1963 housing 480 men which was the largest residence hall on campus at the time. Named after Simeon E. Thomas Head of the social sciences department from 1906-1942.
• Carman Hall was opened in 1970-1971. Named after Ruth Carman who taught Latin and German at the Lab School from 1914-1953 and she is the first former student to have a building named after her

With a story over 100 years in the making, Eastern Illinois University’s Housing and Dining Services has evolved tremendously from President Livingston Lord’s original vision of housing female students on campus. The opening of Pemberton Hall in 1908 gave birth to Housing and Dining Services, forever changing the direction of the institution.  As home to the first female residence hall in the state of Illinois, Eastern Illinois University had been a leader in residential living since the time of Housing and Dining conception.

With the expansion of Housing and Dining Services, so has the professional staff member’s role in within each community.  Throughout Eastern’s Housing and Dining Services history, leadership has continued to be driven towards providing the best service and residential experience to Eastern’s students.  Originally known as Residence Hall Counselors, today Directors focus energy on ensuring students develop holistically both as a student and as an individual, ready for their next stage in life.  Full time staff members were found as Hall Counselors and Directors in every hall until the early 1980’s when the University’s state funding changed. The Housing and Dining Department saw the opportunity to develop a graduate student experience for individuals interested in the field of Housing and Residence Life. Today, Associate Resident Directors, alongside Resident Directors and Complex Directors, still offer unparalleled service and support to students residing on campus.