Across Florida State University’s main campus are buildings named in honor of women who have made significant contributions to the university. The names of these former female faculty members, deans and vice presidents are displayed on these structures to emphasize their accomplishments and recognize their achievements. To celebrate Women’s History Month, some of the buildings that students, faculty, staff and visitors to FSU’s main campus come across are featured below.
Deviney Hall (FSU Photography Services) Deviney Hall was named in honor of Ezda May Deviney, a member of the Florida State College for Women faculty for 33 years, including 15 years as head of the Department of Zoology. (FSU Special Collections and Archives) McCollum Hall (FSU Photography Services) Completed in 1975, McCollum Hall is named after Edith McCollum, who served as the Director of Housing at the Florida State College for Women/Florida State University from 1941–1970. (FSU Special Collections and Archives) Ragans Hall (FSU Photography Services) Ragans Hall is named after Sherrill Williams Ragans (right), pictured here with James C. "Jim" Smith, former chairman of the FSU Board of Trustees. Ragans retired in 2003, the same year the hall was being built, after more than 40 years at FSU. Having served as a Residence Counselor and Director of University Housing, Ragans finished her tenure at Florida State as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. Originally named New Hall, S.W. Ragans Hall received its namesake in a rededication ceremony in November 2006. (FSU Photography Services) Reynolds Hall (FSU Photography Services) Celebrating its opening in 1913, Reynolds Hall was named for Mrs. Melissa E. Cochrane Reynolds, the Lady Principal for Florida Female College from 1905-1909, pictured here standing with a student. (FSU Special Collections and Archives) Cawthon Hall (FSU Photography Services) Cawthon Hall is named after Sarah Lundrum Cawthon, who was Dean of the College Home at the Florida State College for Women for fifteen years. She initiated the Student Government Association at the Florida State College for Women, and was a leader in the expansion of the American Association of University Women. (FSU Special Collections and Archives) Dorman Hall (FSU Photography Services) The original Dorman Hall was built in 1952 and named for Olivia Dorman, who was the Dean of Students and a classics professor at the Florida State College for Women for 25 years. (FSU Special Collections and Archives) Montgomery Hall (FSU Photography Services) Built in 1929, Montgomery Hall is named after Dr. Katherine Montgomery and was often called “Miss Katie’s Gym." For more than 30 years, Dr. Montgomery led the physical education program and was the driving force behind the gym’s construction. The building was converted into a state of the art dance facility in 2004. (FSU Special Collections and Archives) Mary B. Coburn Health and Wellness Center. (FSU Photography Services) The new Health and Wellness Center opened in August 2012 and is named after Mary B. Coburn, former longtime vice president for Student Affairs who served from 2003 until she retired in 2017. (FSU Special Collections) Longmire Building (FSU Photography Services) Built in 1938, the Longmire Building is named in honor of Rowena Longmire, an English professor and founder of the Florida State College for Women Alumnae Association. It was the first building on campus to be named for a faculty member. (FSU Special Collections and Archives) Jennie Murphree Hall (FSU Photography Services) Built in 1921 and steeped in tradition, Jennie Murphree Hall is named after Mrs. Jennie Murphree, the wife of Dr. Albert A. Murphree, who was the first president of the Florida Female College from 1905 - 1909. Jennie Murphree is pictured here on the far left, with her children and husband. (FSU Special Collections and Archives) Vivian M. Duxbury Hall (FSU Photography Services) Completed in 1975, Duxbury Hall is named after Vivian M. Duxbury, the first dean of FSU's College of Nursing. It is the main building for the College of Nursing. (FSU Special Collections and Archives) Sandels Building (FSU Photography Services). The Sandels Building, which houses the College of Health and Human Sciences, was constructed in 1955 and named for Margaret R. Sandels, dean of the School of Home Economics from 1922-1958. (Florida Memory Archives)
