On a campus with 11 residence halls, University Court Apartments and Greek Court, Pemberton Hall is the grandmother of them all.

Built in 1908, the residence hall has a lengthy tradition; however, renovations are under way to keep that tradition going.

“If Pemberton Hall was a person … it would probably be someone who’s old and knows a lot of things,” Courtney Bosbo, a freshman communication disorders and sciences major, said. “I would say they would be pretty trustworthy.”

The ultimate goal for a residence hall, especially for freshmen leaving home for the first time, is to be a home away from home.

And Pemberton Hall residents say the 95-year-old building is just that.

“The age, it adds more character,” Kristen Dorsey, a freshman political science major, said. “It kind of makes it more ‘homey’ than your regular dorm.”

Pemberton’s quaintness is boosted by its fireplace and wooden staircase located in the lobby. The age-old structure does have its disadvantages, as the hall does not have air conditioning or elevators.

The simplicity only adds to the character, which is something everyone associated with the building says it has.

“It’s architecturally appealing,” Rachel Irmiter, an associate resident director at Pemberton, said. “Just from the outside structure, it looks like a cool place to live.”

The building is named after Stanton C. Pemberton, a former state senator who generated the funds to build the first all-female residence hall in Illinois. However, Stanton was not the only family member to make the history books. His brother, John Stith Pemberton, was the creator of Coca-Cola.

The soft drink was originally a nerve tonic and was called, “Pemberton’s French Wine Coca.” Ironically, Eastern only serves Pepsi products on campus.

When asked why the school doesn’t use Pemberton’s family connections, Director of Housing and Dining Mark Hudson laughed and said: “Well, you know, that was a long time ago.”

Pemberton, which now houses about 200 female residents, besides the women’s basketball team. Dribbling basketballs aside, residents cited the relative quietness as one of the hall’s advantages.

Bosbo said she thought the hall’s small residency was the main reason for the silence.

“It’s a cool, cool building,” she said.

But not during the summer.

“It sucks when it’s 92 degrees (in the building),” Bosbo said. “My roommate and I have huge box of fans and we lay in our beds – we’re like, ‘Oh, God!'”

Kledzik said Pemberton retains many of its residents because of the small community.

“It’s very unique community because of the diverse group of women,” she said. “We have a large range from first-year students all the way to seniors.

“The residents in Pemberton have pride and I think that is another reason why they stay here.”

Hudson said in the coming years, upgraded furniture and building fixtures is another reason why students will stay. He said the hall has undergone a kitchenette and recreational area refurbishing. The walls have also been widened to provide less of a “claustrophobic” feel.

But the most expensive and time-exhausting renovation will probably not be noticed by the normal resident. The windows in the old section, which Hudson described the process as “painstakingly slow,” are being replaced. New desks and carpeting also are in the plans.