Willard Residential College

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Willard Residential College
Type Residential college
Established 1938
President Ian Rinehart
Enrollment approx. 300
Location 1865 Sherman Ave
Evanston IL 60201

Willard Residential College is a residential college at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois known for its strong spirit of community and unique traditions including Willard Formal, Polka Party, Woo-au Luau and the notorious Frances Willard Party.

Contents

[edit] History

It was built as an all-female dormitory in 1938. The dorm was originally named "Willard Hall," after Frances Willard, a women's suffragist and leader in the temperance movement who served as Northwestern's first dean of women. Willard Hall was renamed "Willard Residential College" in 1972 when the dorm became a part of Northwestern's Residential College program and became the first co-ed housing on campus.

Willard has traditionally had a friendly rivalry with Shepard Residential College and a not so friendly one with the neighboring Caddyshack (the Evans Scholars).

Willard is consistently strong in Northwestern's Intramural Sports Program, as demonstrated by consecutive co-rec dodgeball championships in 2006 and 2007. The Willard teams are now known as "The Fighting Quakers" and "The Tigerlilies", with The Fighting Quakers being perhaps the most competitive residential college team in NUIM history.

Beginning no later than the 1970s, Willard Residential College was notorious for the "Frances Willard Party," which was held every Fall in mock celebration of Frances Willard's birthday. The party would traditionally begin with people traveling from room to room and progressively climbing up Willard's five floors, drinking heavily along the way. One's success would be measured by successfully reaching the 5th floor without passing out. However, following the 2002 Frances Willard Party, the University deemed the party too unsafe and banned Willard Residential College from ever having the party again.

[edit] Traditions

Currently, Willard celebrates several long-standing college traditions. This includes the swanky Willard Formal, a black-tie party thrown annually by the hall government at a surprise location. Past formal locations include the Shedd Aquarium and the Sears Tower. The Willard Polka Party is held during winter quarter at a beer garden in Chicago, where residents dress in wild costumes and dance the polka. The Woo-Au Luau is held the Monday after Northwestern's infamous Dillo Day, and traditionally includes a barbecue, music and the yearly pudding-wrestling contest.

Willard also competes with Shepard Residential College each spring in the Woo-Shep Olympics.

[edit] Gallery

The front of Willard c. 1938

Wholesome leisure by the young Willardite women

After the gender blending: A rooftop shot of Willardites from ca. 1974.[2]

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Jevens, Darel. "Stephen Colbert: The College Years", Chicago Sun-Times, October 18, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-20. 
2.(I lived there from 1972-1975, and recognize several of my contemporaries in the photo.)
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