Living at Van Zile Hall
Van Zile Hall
History
Van Zile Hall was built in 1926 and was named for Mary Pierce Van Zile who served as the Dean of the Division of Home Economics from 1908-1918 and the Dean of Women from 1908-1939. Mary Louise Pierce was born February 7, 1872, in Solomon, Kansas. Shortly after her birth the family moved to Winfield, IA where she completed her elementary and secondary education. She taught in the Winfield, IA, schools, 1888-1889, before attending Kansas State Agricultural College, 1889-1891. She was named Principal of Wayland High School in Iowa, 1891-1892. She married Gilbert J. Van Zile on December 28, 1892. After his death in 1899, Van Zile attended Iowa State College, earning her teacher's diploma in 1904.
She taught domestic science at Iowa State College during her senior years. After graduation, she taught at Domestic Science and Art at New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, IL, 1904-1908. In July, 1908, Mary Van Zile accepted the positions of professor of home economics and dean of women at K.S.A.C., the first time this position was separated from the director of home economics. She held both positions until 1918, when she relinquished her duties as head of home economics, continuing to hold the position of dean of women until 1940. In 1925, Kansas State Agricultural College named a women's dormitory in her honor, Van Zile Hall.
She received a Bachelor's degree from K.S.A.C. in 1929.The Association of the Kansas Deans of Women elected her president, 1921-1922. The Kansas State Teachers' Association elected her president in 1927. She was an active member of the Kansas Council of Women, American Association of University Women, Phi Kappa Phi, and Omicron Nu. Van Zile retired and became Dean Emeritus in 1940. She died on Nov. 9, 1949.
Originally, Van Zile Hall housed 150 women; however, now it is a co-ed building housing 68 students. The building cost approximately $175,000 to build and the furniture added $25,000. At the time Van Zile was built, Dr. F. D. Farrell was President of Kansas State College. Van Zile Hall was the first permanent residence hall established at Kansas State. After being closed for some time in great disarray, it was renovated in 1990.
Currently there are 54 rooms in Van Zile, consisting of 40 singles and 14 doubles, totaling a capacity of 68 residents. The gender composition varies from year to year. For the 2006-2007 academic year, Van Zile is already full. It was filled during Early Room Preference (ERP) process by students returning to the residence halls.
Van Zile Resident Assistant - Jeremy Bennet
room # - 316
room phone # - 785.395.2738
e-mail address # - jeremyb2@ksu.edu
Strong Complex Multicultural Assistant - Joe Klug
room # - 207
room phone # - 785.395.2705
e-mail address # - joseph5@ksu.edu