New Residence Hall Named After Former Auxiliary Services Director

September 9, 2009

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Without the contributions of former Auxiliary Services Director Wendell Hill, Central Washington University’s campus would be a different place. Hill dedicated 30 years to CWU, creating revenue-generating programs and overseeing the construction of Courson and Muzzall halls. So it was only fitting for Central to name its newest residence hall after him.

Up until recently, Wendell Hill Hall was known as Student Village South. The residence hall, located on the corner of Dean Nicholson Boulevard and Alder Street, will welcome 476 students beginning Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. A celebration will be held Friday, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. on the east lawn of the Music Building for the hall’s grand opening.

Richard DeShields, senior director of University Housing, Wellness, and New Student Programs, submitted Hill’s name.

“Wendell Hill was a logical choice because of all the contributions he made to campus housing,” DeShields says. “I have had the opportunity to see all of CWU’s residence halls on campus named after previous presidents, deans and faculty members; however, many of CWU housing’s successes are a direct result of the work done by Hill.”

Hill served as director of Auxiliary Services from 1963 to 1993. During the 1970s, when Central saw a decline in enrollment, Hill helped create the Conference Services Program, which assisted in generating revenue for housing and auxiliary services.

He also helped create special housing for returning Vietnam veterans, was the first to assist the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce in examining the CWU-Ellensburg commercial relationship, was instrumental in starting CWU’s Living Learning Communities and generated more campus jobs for students.

Before passing away in 2003, Hill was quoted as saying, “I think that the real blessing I’ve had with my time of being in this position is that it was fun working with students. That’s what it’s really all about. They’re so refreshing, so darned smart.”

Wendell Hill Hall is a two-building, four-story hall with an interior based on an apartment-style layout. Rooms have up to four bedrooms, a shared living room, kitchenettes and bathrooms.

It has many green features, including water-saving plumbing fixtures, storm water treatment facilities, energy efficient heating, cooling and ventilation and recycling centers. Much of its construction materials were regionally produced or recycled.

For more information on the new hall, visit http://www.cwu.edu/~housing/reshalls/halls/wendell_hill.html, or for information on the grand opening ceremony, contact Elaine Ames at 509-963-1838. For additional information on housing at CWU, visit www.cwu.edu/~housing.

Media Contact: Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, 509-963-1416, olint@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of placebound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.