Dr. Brett Valentine, chairman of the William Carey University Board of Trustees, visits during the dedication ceremony with two former residents of old Ross and Johnson halls: Pam Baker, left, who lived in Ross Hall from 1972-74; and Joyce Norris, who lived in Johnson Hall from 1967-69.
In January 2017, an EF3 tornado swept through William Carey University. Six buildings were destroyed outright or damaged so badly they had to be demolished. In the year and a half since then, WCU has been steadily re-building.
With the dedication Sept. 13 of Ross Hall-Johnson Hall, WCU is just one step away from completing all tornado recovery projects.
“If they hadn’t been destroyed, Ross Hall and Johnson Hall would have been 100 years old next year. They were our oldest dorms, but they were a favorite with students, who requested them above any other dorm on campus,” WCU President Dr. Tommy King said.
“Tatum Court is the final step in our tornado recovery and we are looking forward to the day we can move in this winter.”
The first Ross Hall and Johnson Hall were part of the school’s original 10-acre campus, then called Mississippi Woman’s College. Built in 1919, each was 16,000 square feet and cost $163,000.
“In the early years of Ross and Johnson, rules were very strict for the women. They were allowed to mail four letters per week to those whose names appeared on a list approved by their mothers,” said Barbara Hamilton, executive assistant to the president.
“Lipstick and rouge were forbidden and students were asked not to cut their hair in short bobs. There were to be no gentlemen callers on campus. The last Mississippi Woman’s College students graduated in 1954 as the institution became co-educational and was re-named William Carey College. The 1919 residents of Ross and Johnson would be amazed but pleased that today’s female students live in such fine facilities.”
The new Ross Hall-Johnson Hall was designed by Landry Lewis Germany Architects. The $10 million complex is made up of two dormitories built side-by-side, connected by a central lobby. Each three-story, 24,000-square-foot structure will house almost 90 students. Each floor includes a lounge space and a laundry room.
Ross Hall-Johnson Hall opened just before the start of fall classes, and increased occupancy at the Hattiesburg campus by 100 students.
Dr. King thanked the William Carey University Board of Trustees for attending Thursday’s ceremony: “The back row is filled with our trustees, the people who keep this institution running, and we are always honored when they are able to join us.”
Board Chairman Dr. Brett Valentine returned the compliment.
“We are fortunate that our administration is so hands-on. This is not just a job. It’s their life,” Valentine said. “The tornado recovery process has been a blessing from God. We’re going to trust in Him and go wherever he leads us.”
Who are the dorms named for?- Johnson Hall was named in honor of Dr. and Mrs. John L. Johnson Jr. Dr. Johnson was president of the school, then called Mississippi Woman’s College, from 1912-32. During his tenure, the campus expanded to 40 acres and Tatum Court, Ross Hall, Johnson Hall and a model home for home economics were built. Most significantly, Johnson secured accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
- Ross Hall was named in honor of Dr. T.E. Ross and his family, longtime supporters of the school. Dr. Ross served on the board of trustees and as a college physician at the Mary Ross Hospital on campus.
