University renames South Hall to honor first female president
By Jordan Green, Editor-in-Chief
A dormitory for female students at Northwestern now bears the name of the university’s first female president.
South Hall, opened in 1966, was renamed Cunningham Hall on Friday in honor of Dr. Janet Cunningham, who retired in June as Northwestern’s 19th president.
Students, faculty, staff and community members were on hand for a rededication ceremony in the building at 11 a.m. Friday. Much of Cunningham’s family was present as well.
“When you talk about Northwestern, you know we’re going to talk about Dr. Cunningham,” Dr. Bo Hannaford, the university’s president, said in an emotional speech at the beginning of the ceremony. “She influenced the university in such a positive way. More importantly, if you know her, and I know all of you do, she had a passion and love for her students, the faculty and staff, administrative team and this community.”
Cunningham worked at Northwestern for roughly 40 years, starting as a professor and working her way up through the ranks. As president, she oversaw the creation of the university’s first doctoral program, the reconstruction of several campus buildings and the athletic program’s transition to the NCAA Division II, among other changes.
One of the last projects of her presidency was a nearly $5 million remodeling project at South Hall. After Cunningham retired, Northwestern officials announced their intent to name the dormitory in her honor. The project began in the spring of 2022 and ended in the fall semester. Female students lived in Coronado Hall until the project was completed.
Connie Reilly, a regent with the Regional University System of Oklahoma, said Cunningham has become one of her closest friends in the field of higher education. Reilly also complimented the dormitory reconstruction project.
“I was brought to this dorm by President Cunningham,” Reilly said. “I saw the ‘before,’ and I saw what they were doing for the ‘after.’ I was very impressed. I always said that President Cunningham, throughout her 16 years, always made her decisions based upon the students.”
Jane McDermott, a regent from Alva and a Northwestern alumna, said the dormitory has a beautiful new look.
“We should have named it Cunningham Hall a little sooner,” McDermott joked. “If these walls could talk, they could tell a lot of wonderful stories about our lives right here at Northwestern.”
Matt Adair, the university’s housing director, said Cunningham inspired countless students during her time at the university.
“It’s long been said that a house is made of brick and stone, but a home is made of love,” Adair said. “Cunningham Hall is certainly a home. It’s designed and inspired to offer modern elegance, beauty and amenities in a welcoming, supporting, encouraging environment.”
Adair introduced Shayna Miller, a senior English education major and resident assistant in Cunningham Hall. Miller said students were excited to move into the new dormitory once it was completed – almost too excited.
“New buildings come with fun surprises,” Miller said. “When we first moved over to Cunningham Hall, the fire alarms went off at least twice a week for at least two weeks. This means two things. One, our new fire safety system definitely works, and two, our students will definitely know what to do in case there should ever be an emergency.
“All jokes aside, the renovations and updates to Cunningham Hall make it feel like home. Though I don’t live too far away, I still get homesick, but thanks to the project, I’m able to feel like Northwestern – and more specifically Cunningham Hall – is my home.”
Adair next introduced Cunningham, saying the former president paved the way for thousands of Rangers to make friends and memories in the building.
Cunningham recognized her family and members of the audience, thanking them for their support.
“I am so humbled and honored to have this building named after me,” Cunningham said. “It’s so fitting that a lot of girls will have the opportunity to go to college and have this be their home.”
She thanked the project contractors and engineers for helping the university “get the most bang for their buck” on the project.
“It turned out lovely,” Cunningham said. “Think about how long this building has already served. Some places might have torn it down and started over, but we made it better.”