HHS History Walk

Many of the buildings on our campus have been named after leaders who played pivotal roles in the development of home economics at K-State. Dr. Sharon Nickols, alumnus, provided funding for graduate students to assist in organizing and archiving documents from the College of Health and Human Sciences and materials related to past deans for the college and the history of the college.

The information below comes from a history walk project (pdf) created by one of the graduate students. The information highlights the buildings named after the leaders who made an impact on the university.

Calvin Hall

Calvin HallBuilt: 1908
Dedicated to: Henrietta Calvin, who served as the administrator of domestic science and domestic art programs from 1903-1908

Previously a home economics building, in 1960 Calvin Hall was renovated and became the headquarters facility for the College of Business Administration. It is now home to the College of Arts and Sciences.

 

Campus Creek Complex

Campus Creek ComplexBuilt: 1949
Dedicated to: Ula Dow, Margaret Ahlborn and Ellen Richards, who were three outstanding former human ecology leaders.

Today, the Campus Creek Complex houses the K-State Family Center and the Speech and Hearing Center

 

Hoeflin Stonehouse

Hoeflin StonehouseBuilt: 1866
Dedicated to: Ruth Hoeflin, who served as Dean of the College of Human Ecology from 1975-1983.

Today, the building is home to the K-State Police.

 

 

Justin Hall

Justin HallBuilt: 1960
Dedicated to: Dr. Margaret Justin, who served as Dean of the College of Human Ecology from 1923-1954.

Today, the building is home to the College of Health and Human Sciences, previously the College of Human Ecology and the College of Home Economics.

 

Kedzie Hall

Kedzie HallBuilt: 1897
Dedicated to: Nellie Kedzie, who was a professor and head of home economics from 1887-1897. Kedzie was the first woman at Kansas State Agricultural College to hold the rank of professor.

Today, the building is home to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

 

Kramer Dining Building

Kramer Dining CenterBuilt: 1960
Dedicated to: Dr. Martha Kramer, a faculty member in food economics and nutrition for 30 years and assistant dean of the College of Human Ecology.

Today, Kramer Dining Center serves as a residential dining hall for K-State students

 

Pittman Building

Pitman BuildingBuilt: 1967
Dedicated to: Martha Pittman, who served as the head of the Department of Food Economics and Nutrition from 1923-1946.

Today, the building is home to the administration of residence halls, dining services and Jardine Terrace.

 

Smurthwaite House

Smurthwaite HouseBuilt: 1961
Dedicated to: Georgiana Smurthwaite, who served in Home Economics Cooperative Extension for more than 30 years.

Today, Smurthwaite provides a cooperative living residence for students with outstanding leadership and scholarship.

 

Thompson Hall

Thompson HallBuilt: 1922
Dedicated to: Dr. Helen B. Thompson, who served as Dean of the Kansas State Agricultural College’s Division of Home Economics from 1918-1923.

Today, Thompson Hall houses classrooms, laboratories and faculty offices for the Department of Geology.

 

Van Zile Hall

Van Zile HallBuilt: 1926
Dedicated to: Mary Pierce Van Zile, who served as dean of the Division of Home Economics from 1908-1918 and dean of women from 1908-1939.

Today, Van Zile Hall is a residential hall for students who are part of the university’s honor program.

 

West Hall

West HallBuilt: 1962
Dedicated to: Bessie Brooks West, who served as head of the Department of Institutional Management from 1923-1956.

Today, West Hall is a co-ed dormitory, with students creating a very active community and a strong history of student leadership.