Historic Melrose Hall reopens following tornado renovation

by Patricia Zwiebel Petty '77, Director of Alumni Relations

The construction crew promised Melrose Hall would be ready for students for Fall '04 and they kept their word. To commemorate the return of the grande dame of the campus residence halls, a Melrose Slumber Party was held August 13 and 14 to celebrate the grand re-opening of Melrose.

Jewell alumnae and friends of the College were on hand for two days of non-stop fun. Guests' class years ranged from the mid-50s to 2003; WJC Woman's Committee members also participated in the event.

Guests were treated to valet parking and escorted to the new Melrose , where the “dorm dwellers” commented on the improvements to the facility, such as the elevators and the vibrant colors, enhanced by the comfortable overstuffed furniture on every floor. Upon checking in at Melrose's main lobby, participants were provided with the schedule of events for the party, a pink carnation, a copy of the dorm rules from 1953 and their “composition books” which required a homework assignment, complete with extra credit for completion. The ladies were directed to their assigned dorm rooms, where sheets and towels had been folded and wrapped in black and hot pink ribbons, the theme colors of the event, with instructions for making their dorm beds – no small feat for some, as the beds were “lofted” so that desks and dressers can be placed underneath for additional room. Laughter rang through the halls, just like the old days, as guests greeted one another and enjoyed setting up their rooms.

As many of the participants had not been back to campus for many years, the appeal of strolling on the campus grounds before dinner was enticing. Surveying the tornado damage, several women commented how fortunate Jewell was to have survived the storm and what enhancements had been made as a result.

A barbecue dinner was held at the President's Home, followed by an opportunity for the ladies to paint designs of their choice on slate tiles which had been blown off Melrose 's roof following the tornado. Certainly these one-of-a-kind mementos will be treasured for years to come. After enjoying a relaxing evening at the President's Home, the true “slumber party” began in earnest in Melrose as residents congregated in the first- and third-floor lobbies to reminisce about their adventures at Jewell during their college days. Tatler yearbooks were available for review and many stories were told about events through the years. Snacks fueled the guests well into the early hours.

Saturday, a group breakfast in the Union was followed by tours of the campus. Guests were able to see first-hand the many changes wrought by the tornado. All too soon participants were checking out of Melrose so that the dorm could be readied for incoming students who were arriving the next day. Those on hand for this event declared it a great success and were impressed with the state-of-the-art residence hall with its many amenities that would be available for first-year WJC women.