Campus News

Oldest ETBU dorm demolished

MARSHALL, Texas (12/31/09)-News of the demolition of East Texas Baptist University's oldest dormitory, Merle Bruce Hall, kindled fond memories for graduates and current students.

Merle Bruce Hall, named after former East Texas Baptist College President Harvey Daniel Bruce's wife, was built in 1927. It was the main dorm for incoming freshman women, though it also housed freshman men in the past few years.

The building is also the original host for Candy Fest, a citywide Halloween event in which more than 1,000 children and parents circulate through annually.

"Candy Fest was the Merle experience," said Jessi Hampton, a 2008 graduate. "Most of October, Candy Fest took precedence over homework, and sleep for that matter. For the most part it was terrible, but it was always worth it when you saw the kids come through on Halloween."

"For the past 82 years almost every girl, and a few men, have lived in Merle," ETBU President Dr. Samuel "Dub" Oliver said. "It has a special place in many people's hearts."

Despite occasional problems, the building was cherished.

"Move-in day was always crazy, because you realized how the living conditions were going to be from the first sight of your room," 2008 graduate Chelsea Johnson said.

"There were many random mishaps that came with the age of the building — constant flooding in the basement, fire alarms didn't work and, in the morning, the power would surge from everyone attempting to blow dry their hair at the same time," she added.

Ms. Hampton agreed.

"You loved it, but there were days it was rough," she said. "One night, the carbon monoxide detectors were going crazy, so we had to turn off all of the heaters on '2 north' and the girls camped out in the lobbies for the night."

"You never knew how long you could go without a hot shower until you lived in Merle. Despite the many mishaps, it was an experience I think every girl at ETBU should experience," said Courtney Warren, a 2007 graduate.

"The only year I lived in Merle I was a resident assistant, which meant I was responsible for an entire wing of girls." she said. "It was also the year Rita hit, and all of our residents from the Houston area spent a lot of time worrying.

"In an effort to relieve some tension, I painted 'Bring it Rita' on a poncho and wore rain boots around the entire day. It was good to see them smile," she said.

The hectic lifestyle also created many friendships.

"I didn't grow up with sisters, and my year at Merle was like being a big sister to the girls on my wing. I built life-changing relationships in Merle — Merle was life-changing," said Ms. Warren.

"I think the legacy of friendships that began inside those walls is a testament to what Merle meant to ETBU," said Ms. Johnson. "I know that the building has seen its share of tears and triumphs, and we have all taken part of the legacy that Merle is leaving."

Current students will also miss the structure.

"It's hard to portray 'the Merle experience' in just a few words," said Student Government President Brittany Gant. "When I came in as a freshman, I really had no idea what to expect. I built many lasting relationships because I lived there, whether it was mattress surfing down the stairs on Princess Night or the many nights spent in the lobby for lack of anything better to do."

Students will soon be making new memories in a new building on the hall's grounds. Construction of the new ETBU Student Center begins next month.

"We plan to have all of the debris gone before students return Jan. 11, because we do not want to disrupt them with the noise," said Oliver, who added the center should be completed Dec. 31, 2010.

"The new student center will be 32,000 square feet," he said. "We will move the post office over from Bennett, and in addition there will be a coffee shop, deli, the Student Affairs offices, game room, several meeting rooms for organizations and more. The new student center will organize our campus, and open it up more, which will give it a more collegiate look," Oliver said. "I'm very excited about this building. I think this will show a strong statement to our students, because they are the reason for everything.

"This is the first of many projects to take place in a positive direction for ETBU, and it is something everyone can be proud of."



Note-A live 24/7 web cam can seen at www.etbu.edu/php/cam of the construction site.



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