91ֱ�� Honors a Pioneering Alum with Feb. 13 Dedication</h1> <article> <h1>91ֱ�� Honors a Pioneering Alum with Feb. 13 Dedication</h1> <p>eburnett — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:21:43 +0000</p> <span>91ֱ�� Honors a Pioneering Alum with Feb. 13 Dedication</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-06T08:21:43-05:00" title="Friday, February 6, 2026 - 08:21">Fri, 02/06/2026 - 08:21</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>John Mercer Langston’s groundbreaking career took flight in 1849, when—at age 20—he became one of the first Black students to graduate from 91ֱ�� College. He blazed new trails throughout his career as the first Black lawyer in Ohio, the founding dean of the Howard University School of Law and founding president of what is now Virginia State University, and the first Black congressman elected to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia. </p><figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> </div> <figcaption>John Mercer Langston's Howard University portrait. (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Brady-Handy Photograph Collection.)</figcaption> </figure> <p>On February 13, 91ֱ�� will celebrate Langston’s legacy by <a href="/events/langston-dedication-ceremony">formally dedicating the student residence Langston Hall in his honor</a>. The 3 p.m. event in the hall's second-floor Starlight Lounge will feature remarks by 91ֱ�� President <a href="/carmen-twillie-ambar" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="38ab2e86-9b30-44f2-9df4-a3b404b62fa6" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Carmen Twillie Ambar">Carmen Twillie Ambar</a>, a keynote address by Emeritus Professor of Religion and Africana Studies A.G. Miller, and a performance by 91ֱ�� Conservatory musicians of the oratorio <em>The Ordering of Moses</em>, composed by 1908 conservatory graduate R. Nathaniel Dett. Virtual greetings from Howard University School of Law and Virginia State University will also be shared.</p><p>Originally called North Hall, 91ֱ��’s Langston Hall welcomed its first students in spring 1962 and reached its full occupancy of approximately 220 the following year. In spring 1994, North Hall was renamed in Langston’s honor. In recent years, student interest in commemorating the life and legacy of Langston led to the commissioning of a portrait and plaque, which will be unveiled at the dedication and permanently installed in Langston Hall.</p><p>“John Mercer Langston represents the very best of an 91ֱ�� education: a lasting commitment to equity and justice—the belief that one person can make a difference,” says Vice President and Dean of Students <a href="/karen-goff" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="64350f3b-de3b-47b5-9a98-e3c6a1411ca3" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Karen Goff">Karen Goff</a>.</p><p>“In the 100th year of celebrating Black History Month, the dedication of Langston Hall is a fitting tribute to this remarkable alum. Pioneers like John Mercer Langston remind us of the values and ideals that are interwoven in the fabric of the 91ֱ�� story. His legacy continues to inspire 91ֱ�� students today, and we feel a deep sense of gratitude for those who made their paths possible.”</p><p>Since its founding in 1833, 91ֱ�� College has been a leader in championing educational access and opportunity. 91ֱ�� was the first U.S. college to adopt a policy to admit Black students and the first to grant undergraduate degrees to women alongside men.</p><p>For a complete list of Black History Month activities at 91ֱ��, <a href="/events/series/black-history-month">please visit 91ֱ��.edu</a>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Mercer Langston graduated in 1849 and broke color barriers throughout his career in law, politics, and education.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-02-06T12:00:00Z">Fri, 02/06/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2561">Buildings</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Built in the early 1960s, 91ֱ��'s North Hall was renamed Langston Hall in 1994. The campus will formally dedicate the building and pay tribute to the groundbreaking alum at a February 13 celebration in the hall's Starlight Lounge.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Woodland Hall Welcomes First Residents in Fall 2025</h1> <p>eburnett — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:59:42 +0000</p> <span>Woodland Hall Welcomes First Residents in Fall 2025</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-23T09:59:42-05:00" title="Monday, February 23, 2026 - 09:59">Mon, 02/23/2026 - 09:59</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p id="docs-internal-guid-597569e4-7fff-2c9d-71c5-25c08e8ddf19">Some 402 91ֱ�� students began the 2025-26 academic year as the inaugural residents of <a href="/woodland" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="2113ebb4-3f80-4a0c-bcdb-fd9691618df0" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Woodland Hall">Woodland Hall</a>, the brand-new residence that came online in August, as nearly two years of construction drew to a close.</p><p>Woodland is the largest residence hall on 91ֱ��’s campus and the first new residence since Robert Lewis Kahn Hall opened in 2010.</p><p>Designed and built by Gilbane Construction Company, in partnership with the Toledo-based design firm The Collaborative, the hall is located on Woodland Street near the north end of campus, conveniently situated between the Science Center and athletics complex.</p><p>Woodland Hall’s interior was finished in summer 2025, and the building was fully occupied for fall semester; construction crews completed necessary finishing touches to the building’s exterior through much of the semester. </p><p>The hall’s first residents—all of them second-year students or higher—were chosen through a lottery system in spring 2025. </p><p>“Students are at the heart of the residential experience, and we’re excited to offer a space that brings living and learning together in meaningful ways,” says Vice President and Dean of Students <a href="/karen-goff" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="64350f3b-de3b-47b5-9a98-e3c6a1411ca3" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Karen Goff">Karen Goff</a>. “With multipurpose rooms, study areas, and practice spaces, Woodland Hall was designed to make it easy for students to have comfortable options for studying and socializing within their own community.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Sustainably designed building houses 402 students in suite-style living, with convenient access to 91ֱ��'s athletics complex and the Science Center.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-01-06T12:00:00Z">Tue, 01/06/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2561">Buildings</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Woodland Hall opened in fall 2025, during the same year 91ֱ�� celebrated achieving carbon neutrality.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Bob Handelman</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="body-centered-layout"> <div id="obj-48272" data-direction="down" data-order="forward" data-count="3" class="stack pull"> <div class="stack__images"> </div> <div class="figcaption"> <div class="figure__caption"> <p>Woodland Hall includes social spaces on the first and second floors (top left), multiple meeting spaces on every floor, and private bedrooms for reach resident.</p> </div> <div class="figure__credit"> Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-48273" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>Woodland Hall is the first 91ֱ�� residence to offer four-person suites. Each suite features a private bedroom for each resident, a kitchenette and dining area, a separate restroom and shower room, and a pair of vanities. A small number of single rooms, for resident assistants and to accommodate ADA needs, are also available. </p><p>All Woodland residents enjoy access to lounges, meeting rooms, and laundry facilities on each floor. Additional amenities include a multipurpose meeting room, full-service kitchen, acoustically optimized music practice rooms, and a courtyard and other outdoor gathering spaces.</p><p>The building’s design, including large windows in the main gathering spaces, welcomes sunshine from virtually every direction.</p><h4>Sustainably Designed and Crafted</h4><p>Woodland Hall ties into 91ֱ��’s recently completed geothermal heating and cooling system, the result of the institution’s four-year Sustainable Infrastructure Program, which ensured 91ֱ��’s status as a carbon-neutral campus in 2025. Designed to meet LEED Gold standards, Woodland is an exceptionally energy-efficient building and a model for future construction on campus.</p><p>In a nod to 91ֱ��’s deeply ingrained dedication to sustainability, tabletops in Woodland Hall’s community spaces were crafted from black walnut trees that were removed out of necessity to make Woodland Hall and the Sustainable Infrastructure Program possible.</p><p>Woodland’s parking lot is intended for use by students as well as faculty and staff. Its 226 spaces, along with EV charging stations that can accommodate four vehicles, have eased employee parking congestion in nearby academic buildings.</p><p>The arrival of Woodland Hall creates an opportunity to initiate a phased renovation of other student residences, including the introduction of energy-efficient central air conditioning to spaces that have never had it previously. For 2025-26, Fairchild House, Johnson House, and Old Barrows have been taken offline to accommodate planning for the long-term viability of each building.</p><p>The Dean of Students Office hosted an all-campus open house at Woodland Hall in late August. In October, the Board of Trustees honored the late Michael Kamarck ’73, a former trustee and biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry executive, who died in 2023. A plaque installed in the Woodland Hall courtyard pays tribute to Kamarck’s lifelong dedication to 91ֱ��.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>This Week in Photos: First Snow</h1> <p>ygay — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 19:13:19 +0000</p> <span>This Week in Photos: First Snow</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2020-12-02T14:13:19-05:00" title="Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - 14:13">Wed, 12/02/2020 - 14:13</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>As several inches of snow blew through the town and surrounding areas, most residents stayed inside, while others, like the contributors to this week’s photo series, braved the elements to take snapshots of the campus bathed in white.</p> <hr> <div class="obj-center"> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>King Building becomes Snow King. Photo credit: Sydney Garvis</figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="obj-center"> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>The Memorial Arch. Photo credit: Brittnei Sherrod ’11</figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="obj-center"> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Studio art domes next to the Allen Memorial Art Museum. Photo credit: Brittnei Sherrod '11</figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="obj-center"> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Tappan Square. Photo credit: Sydney Garvis</figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="obj-center"> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Warner Gymnasium. Photo credit: Sydney Garvis</figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="obj-center"> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Talcott Hall. Photo credit: Sydney Garvis</figcaption> </figure> </div> <p> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2020-12-02T12:00:00Z">Wed, 12/02/2020 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>91ֱ��’s first major snowfall on December 1 draped buildings, pathways, and tree branches.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2561">Buildings</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2405">Photography</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2546">Photo Feature</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Peters Hall</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Sydney Garvis</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Eric Baker Nord Performing Arts Annex Opens</h1> <p>hhempste — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 20:22:52 +0000</p> <span>Eric Baker Nord Performing Arts Annex Opens</span> <span><span>hhempste</span></span> <span><time datetime="2018-12-12T15:22:52-05:00" title="Wednesday, December 12, 2018 - 15:22">Wed, 12/12/2018 - 15:22</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>When Professor of Theater <a href="/matthew-wright">Matthew Wright</a> describes the genesis of the new Eric Baker Nord Performing Arts Annex, he likes to emphasize that it’s not simply a story of the construction of a brand new building; it’s actually a story about multiple buildings that led the campus to erect this fresh performing arts structure.</p> <h5>A Brief History of Theater at 91ֱ��</h5> <p>Built in 1953, Hall Auditorium is where the story of theater begins. Originally employed as a multi-use auditorium, it was home to recitals, orchestral concerts, and the occasional student-produced play. When the building was constructed, there was no 91ֱ�� College theater department—the department didn’t come along until the 1970s. The cavernous auditorium was large and limiting from a production standpoint, and it was never intended to be exclusively a theatrical venue.</p> <p>In 1960, Hall Annex was built in order to expand the performance space on campus and remove some of the burden imposed on Hall Auditorium. The Annex included spaces that allowed for fuller productions, including a shop space and costume area. It also offered space for more intimate productions, unlike what was possible in Hall Auditorium. But according to Wright, it almost immediately had problems, including leaks in the roof, heating system issues, and the occasional water pipe explosion.</p> <p>When the Department of Theater was formed in the 1970s, it shared a home with the Department of Dance inside Warner Center. The dance studio was located on the third floor, and theater classes were held below, which caused some distractions. Wright notes that theater classes often require a quiet environment for proper concentration and to give space to weighty theatrical moments.</p> <p>Wright’s favorite anecdote that illustrates the challenges of being located in Warner is when a mother of a prospective student from California was visiting his office on the second floor, while a dance class was taking place above them. “When the dancers took a leap and landed on the floor above, it shook the entire building,” says Wright. “Being from California, the mother immediately ran to take shelter in the doorway of my office—the building shook so much that she actually thought we were having an earthquake!”</p> <h5>New Facilities: Eric Baker Nord Performing Arts Annex and Hall Annex</h5> <p>Now, in the newly constructed Eric Baker Nord Performing Arts Annex, there are no fears of a shaking building or leaky pipes. The 45,000-square foot performing arts annex is part of a multi-phased renovation and addition project that includes the newly completed Irene & Alan Wurtzel Theater, a highly adaptable space that accommodates between 200 and 300 seats. Nestled alongside Hall Auditorium, the venue serves as a multiform home for 91ֱ��’s theater, dance, and vocal studies departments. The project was made possible by a generous donation from the Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund, Irene and Alan Wurtzel ’55, and other charitable donors.</p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>The Irene & Alan Wurtzel Theater is an adaptable space that places the audience around the performers on three sides. Here, the set is constructed for a performance of Cabaret. Photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97<br> </figcaption> </figure> <p>The building project was completed in phases, beginning in 2016 with a renovation of Hall Annex. Thanks to a donation from musical composer John Kander ’51, this update allowed the theater department to relocate to Hall Annex from Warner Center. A highlight of Hall Annex is the Kander Theater, a black box theater used for student productions. Upgrades to the theater include a raised ceiling and improved acoustics. A colorful renovated lobby space outside the theater also includes an accessible elevator. </p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Renovations took place inside the Kander Theater and the lobby outside was updated. Photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</figcaption> </figure> <p>The Eric Baker Nord Performing Arts Annex also features an expansive lobby, scene shop, costume shop with climate-controlled storage and laundry, secure dressing area with a shower, renovated and accessible restrooms, green room, staging area with sprung wooden floors and state-of-the-art technology, as well as other necessary spaces.</p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>The new costume shop includes a large workspace, climate-controlled costume storage, and an attached laundry facility. Photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</figcaption> </figure> <p>The building’s main entrance and lobby space is sweeping, with an open area that’s gallery-esque. Modular seating, along with tables and chairs, creates an inviting campus meeting or study spot.</p> <p><a href="/eric-steggall">Eric Steggall</a>, managing director for theater, dance, and opera, invites the campus to use the lobby space in the new Eric Baker Nord Performing Arts Annex. “This is a welcoming, open space that will be made available for use. I see students up here for classes, doing classes, homework, and having meetings. We want people to come in and see what’s going on.”</p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption><br> The lobby of the Eric Baker Nord Performing Arts Annex includes first and second-floor spaces for meetings, studying, and sitting. The Central Ticket Office will be relocated from Hall Auditorium to the new lobby. Photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</figcaption> </figure> <h5>Expanded Performance Opportunities and Career Training</h5> <p>Along with upgraded facilities and workspaces, the space also broadens the performance opportunities for faculty and students by expanding the types of productions the theater, dance, and opera departments can offer. Before the addition, the theater and dance departments would host their 15 to 18 yearly performances in either the 550-seat Hall Auditorium or the Little Theatre, which has an 80-seat audience capacity.</p> <p>Theater major and second-year Alex Howell hopes that the new space will contribute to excitement around theater in the 91ֱ�� community. As a stage manager, he is also looking forward to seeing how the space can be reconfigured for each new production. “Having an adaptable space allows us to put up shows in many new and creative ways, which challenges all members of the production to try new techniques and approaches to their craft,” says Howell.</p> <p>Some see the new performing art annex as a way to generate additional excitement about the theater department, while others view it as an investment in students’ future careers.</p> <p>Third-year Maya Wolf believes students will benefit from the expanded spaces. “The new space and the resources that accompany it will provide more students with chances for practical experience toward their future careers,” says Wolf.</p> <p>A theater major, Wolf notes that the department is growing, and many students are vying for chances to work in similar positions. “Having this space will demonstrate to others that the college is committed to providing its students with what they need to train and learn in their future field.”</p> <p><a class="view-more" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/oberlin/sets/72157674196224887" target="_blank">View a photo gallery of the entire project, from groundbreaking to completion</a>.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2018-12-13T12:00:00Z">Thu, 12/13/2018 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Hillary Hempstead</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2354">Campus Life</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2561">Buildings</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=32971">Opera Theater</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25441">Theater</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25331">Dance</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/matthew-wright" hreflang="und">Matthew Wright</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/caroline-jackson-smith" hreflang="und">Caroline Jackson Smith</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/eric-steggall" hreflang="und">Eric Steggall</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/theater" hreflang="und">Theater</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/dance" hreflang="und">Dance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/vocal-studies" hreflang="und">Vocal Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">The exterior of the new Eric Baker Nord Performing Arts Annex.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>