The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News

The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News

The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News

Stephanie Wright-Griggs and Carla Wright, two great granddaughters to Zella Powell, join together to cut the ribbon for Powell-Norton Hall in honor of its rededication on Friday afternoon.

Powell-Norton Hall dedication brings their family back to Eastern

Madelyn Kidd, News Editor September 10, 2022

Zella Powell’s great granddaughters and great great granddaughter came to Eastern for the Powell-Norton Hall dedication on Friday. The Powell-Norton Hall, formally Douglas Hall, was officially renamed...

The renaming of Douglas Hall to Powell-Norton Hall was approved by the Board of Trustees  during their meeting on April 22.

At least a few thousand dollars to rename Douglas Hall

Rob Le Cates, Editor-in-Chief May 25, 2022

The total cost for renaming Douglas Hall to Powell-Norton Hall later this fall could cost a few thousand dollars, according to Mark Hudson, Eastern’s executive director of housing and dining. Several...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Coles County Faith-Based Coalition for Racial Justice thankful for Douglas Hall name change

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Coles County Faith-Based Coalition for Racial Justice thankful for Douglas Hall name change

We would like to thank Eastern Illinois University President Dr. David Glassman and the Board of Trustees for their unanimous support to choose the name of Powell-Norton Hall as the new name for a residence...

the news desk

Looking Back at the History of Powell-Norton Hall (formerly Douglas Hall)

Madelyn Kidd and Corryn Brock April 28, 2022

News editor Madelyn Kidd and editor-in-chief Corryn Brock host the podcast this week to look back on a story which has finally reached its conclusion. Eastern administrators have been debating changing...

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Zella Powell is a woman well worth honoring

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Zella Powell is a woman well worth honoring

Corryn Brock, Editor-in-Chief April 27, 2022

In September 2020, University President David Glassman asked me during an interview on Douglas Hall what name I thought would be best if the university decided to rename the building. Having looked around...

EDITORIAL: It is too late to take credit

EDITORIAL: It is too late to take credit

Editorial Staff April 27, 2022

It finally happened. After over a decade, Douglas Hall was renamed. And all we at the Daily Eastern News can say is good riddance to the old name. Soon, Eastern will not have the stain of having a building...

Ellen Dooley

COLUMN: Naming with purpose

Ellen Dooley, Columnist April 26, 2022

Shakespeare was really onto something when he wrote the famous line “what’s in a name?” In recent years, multiple schools across the country have been renamed due to controversial figures being...

Katja Benz

COLUMN: Dear Norton and Powell, thank you

Katja Benz, Columnist April 25, 2022

On Friday April 22, Eastern’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to rename Douglas Hall to Powell-Norton Hall. The hall is named after Eastern’s first black graduate (Zella Powell) and a woman who...

Joseph Dively adds his input to the topic of the Douglas Hall rename during the Board of Trustees meeting Friday in the Grand Ballroom.

Douglas Hall to be renamed Powell-Norton Hall

Corryn Brock, Editor-in-Chief April 22, 2022

After over a decade since the idea of renaming Douglas Hall was first brought to the university’s attention, the residence hall will be renamed Powell-Norton Hall. The change follows a unanimous vote...

Joyce Madigan, the chairperson for the Board of Trustees, and David Glassman, Eastern Illinois University President, convene after the Friday Board of Trustees meeting was adjourned. The meeting was held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Union University Ballroom. The board approved of an additoin of one year to Glassman’s contract, all were in favor of the extension except one.

BREAKING NEWS: BOT approves Douglas Hall rename

Corryn Brock, Editor-in-Chief April 22, 2022

Douglas Hall will be renamed to Powell-Norton Hall following a unanimous vote by Eastern’s Board of Trustees. The name represents two Black women who were influential in Eastern’s history, Zella...

The Board of Trustees will vote Friday on renaming Douglas Hall after Zella Powell, Easterns first Black graduate, and Ona Norton, a Charleston resident who helped house students of color starting in the 1950s.

Zella Powell and Ona Norton: Looking into the women who Douglas Hall may be renamed after

Corryn Brock, Editor-in-Chief April 21, 2022

Eastern’s Board of Trustees will vote on renaming Douglas Hall after two Black women who were influential in the university’s history Friday at 1 p.m. Originally named after a pro-slavery proponent...

The Board of Trustees will vote Friday on renaming Douglas Hall after Zella Powell, Easterns first Black graduate, and Ona Norton, a Charleston resident who helped house students of color starting in the 1950s.

BOT will vote on renaming Douglas Hall after both EIU’s first Black grad, community leader

Corryn Brock, Editor-in-Chief April 19, 2022

A vote will be taken on renaming Douglas Hall to Powell-Norton Hall during the Board of Trustees meeting at 1 p.m. Friday. If approved, the name would honor both Zella Powell, Eastern’s first Black...

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