Honors Hall History

Completed in 1927, Honors Hall was originally known as the Home Economics Building. In 1960, the building was renamed for Mary Elmina White, a nationally known cooperative extension leader. In 2000, White Hall was remodeled for use by the Honors College to include a 117-student, 67-room dormitory area for Honors Program students. White Hall was renamed Honors Hall in fall semester 2001.

This impressive structure forms an important anchor at the northwest edge of the academic core. The building covers a part of one of the university’s most significant open spaces, the original walk to Thompson Hall (former Old Administration Building) from Reaney Park. The brick building mass is symmetrically balanced, making a cross formation with the central section protruding on the east/west axis. The overall style of the building is Georgian Revival, which creates an elegant architectural statement.

Today, Honors Hall still serves as a residence hall primarily to the Honors College; however, non-Honors College students do reside within its walls as well.

<gallery> image: Honorshall1.jpg|Home Economics Building, now Honors Hall. Photo courtesy of WSU Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections. image: Honorshall1933(2).jpg|Home Economics Building, now Honors Hall in 1933. Photo courtesy of WSU Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections. image: Honorshall1933.jpg|Home Economics Building, now Honors Hall in 1933. Photo courtesy of WSU Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections. image: WhiteHall.JPG|White Hall, renamed Honors Hall in 2001. Photo courtesy of WSU Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections.