On Friday, Oct. 26, 2007, at the President’s Homecoming Gala, an announcement was made stating that the campus’s new residence hall was to be named in honor of former Monmouth College student and faculty member, the late Gracie Peterson. Bill Goldsborough of Glen Elyn, Ill., a member of the Monmouth College board of trustees and a 1965 alumnus, along with his wife, Beverly Goldsborough, made the naming decision after a generous donation of $2 million to the College.

Prior to her passing in May 2006 at the age of 104, Peterson was Monmouth College’s oldest living alumnus. Peterson attended the Monmouth College Conservatory of Music, graduating with a degree in 1922, and then taught piano at Monmouth College from 1922 through 1972. After retiring as a collegiate instructor, Peterson began to perform live as a pianist in the area, eventually being cited by the 1999 Guinness Book of World Records as the “oldest working pianist.” Peterson continued to teach piano to local children, and with the construction of the Wells Theater in 1990, the plaza and portico at the Theater’s front were dedication to Peterson.

            Jeff Rankin, director of college communications, stated, “She was probably the best ambassador that the College ever had. She was just a vibrant performer.” According to Rankin, the location of the new residence hall is on the side where Peterson’s former home was situated, which she occupied with her husband until his death in the 1960s.

Senior Kathryn Fitzsimmons, head resident of the newly named hall, commented, “We’re all pretty excited that our dorm finally has a name to identify itself. Plus, being associated with such a great Monmouth College figure is appropriate.”

            Along with the new residence hall, the philosophy and religious studies house, located at 1002 East Broadway, has been recently retitled the Stafford Weeks House. The House is named after Monmouth College professor emeritus of religion Stafford Weeks and was made possible by a $150,000 gift from the estate of the late Harold and Muriel Conger. The Congers retired in Monmouth, Ill. in the 1970s and befriended Weeks and his wife, Winifred. Portions of the Conger estate were also granted to St. Mary’s Services of Arlington Heights, Ill. and to Northwestern University, Muriel’s alma mater.

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