Renovation work is about to get underway at Watterson Towers, which opened in 1968 and is home to approximately 2,200 students. The hall will remain open during work that is set to begin in March and includes exterior repairs to the facade as well as interior upgrades. The work is expected to be completed in August of 2012.
Beyond updating the building’s overall appearance, the project includes addressing several major deferred maintenance items, insulating the elevator breezeways, expanding the sprinkler system, and adding wireless capability throughout the facility.
Students will especially appreciate updates planned for the bathrooms, installation of overhead lights in the rooms, and the replacement of furniture with beds that can be positioned at multiple heights.
Watterson is the sixth residence hall to be renovated as part of the University’s long range plan. For additional information about the ongoing work, visit http://www.housing.ilstu.edu/.
We would love to hear from you
What part of living in Watterson Towers do you remember the most? What are your thoughts on things that need to be renovated?” ? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
I lived in Watterson from the Fall of 1979 until December, 1980. I enjoyed meeting in the third floor lounges to socialize with friends, watch TV and play cards. My fellow students in the suite were like family. During the fall of 1979, my most vivid memory is the lights all going out in Watterson and having to go stay with friends in Hewett Hall for awhile while the problem got fixed. On certain days they would let us return in groups and escort us upstairs to our rooms using flashlights so we could retrieve more clothes and personal items.
I lived on the 5th floor of Madison. Unfortunately, what I remember most is the endless wait for elevators. I also remember that it was always so windy approaching Watterson from campus. One fond memory is of sliding down the hills in front of the dorm when there was thick ice on the ground.
I lived in Jefferson House in 1972-1973. I remember the smell being somewhat “different.” When I moved my son into Smith House in 1999, I remembered that smell from 26 years before!
It appeared that my son had the same desk at Watterson Towers when he arrived in 2005 that I did when I graduated from ISU in 1980! Replace the furniture too!!
I lived in Waterson Toweres during the 1986-1987 school year. What I remember most is the long lines to get on the elevators and the elevators constantly breaking down due to there being so many students that reside there. I enjoyed living the rooms because they were very spacious even though the lighting wasn’t the greatest. Overrall, it was an interesting experience living in Waterson Towers.
Who could forget the wait for the elevators? I still have dreams about being late!
Class of 1979
(Please note my new preferred e-mail address above.)
When I transferred to ISU in Fall 1970, I joined the original International House in 219 Van Buren. This was a great time in my ISU career because of the many international students I met–as well the American students who were in residence as well. Learning phrases of some of the many languages, enjoying a world of new foods, and participating in the celebrations of lands abroad all contributed to probably my best undergraduate year.
Regarding renovations, the elevator areas were always cold in winter, so I am glad to learn that they will be insulated. I imagine by now the glazing has all been replaced with high efficiency windows. When Watterson was built, not much attention was given to energy use! Anything that can be done to make the building more sustainable would be welcome.
Although I live only 100 miles away, I haven’t visited Watterson for a long time–I’ll make it a point to come by once the renovations are done. For many reasons, it is my favorite residence hall!
I moved into Watterson Towers when it first opened. It was thrilling to be the first to live in the new dorm and fun to eat at any dorm cafeteria on campus, since there was none available for us to use. The view out the huge window of our room was impressive. I have not been back since I graduated, so I’m not aware of changes that might have occurred. However, when I lived there, I felt that the stairways were unsafe, since the elevators stopped only on the center floor of each house and you had to walk up or down flights to reach the solid locked door to your floor. The few times I visited other floors, I felt quite alone and unprotected while waiting in the stairwell for someone to open the locked door to their floor. There was no place to run or bell to ring if you were accosted in that stairwell. It seems only yesterday that I was a student and amazing that the dorm needs updating and repairs. Time flies.
I was in Watterson Towers for the “Wattersonville Horror” when the dorm lost COMPLETE electrical power for nearly a month. Students were ‘farmed out’ to live in the TV rooms on the floors of other dorms during that time. I also remember stair vs. elevator races to see who could reach Pickering House first– the elevator or the stair climber. No wonder we were so skinny back then! One of my favourite memories was going up to the top lounge and watching electrical storms whilst doing my laundry. What a spectacular show!!
I was in Watterson Towers for the “Wattersonville Horror” when the dorm lost COMPLETE electrical power for nearly a month. Students were ‘farmed out’ to live in the TV rooms on the floors of other dorms during that time. I also remember stair vs. elevator races to see who could reach Pickering House first– the elevator or the stair climber. No wonder we were so skinny back then! One of my favourite memories was going up to the top lounge and watching electrical storms whilst doing my laundry. What a spectacular show!!
I remember Dr. Watterson! He was a great teacher of Geography. I lived in Walker and Barton which are now gone and also in Fell Hall. It is good that the university continues to grow and to improve. The spirit of Dr. Bone lives on in the current administration.