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

The Daily Eastern News

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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 Board of Trustees will vote Friday on renaming Douglas Hall after Zella Powell, Eastern's 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...

Ona and Kenneth "Crackers" Norton

EDITORIAL: Research Douglas Hall naming replacements

Editorial Staff November 28, 2021

Eastern's Naming Committee has begun the process of reviewing names suggested by University President David Glassman for their suitability. As the committee begins to do their research, do not be afraid...

“Grandma in her cousin's car”

Potential Douglas Hall name replacements: Zella Powell

Corryn Brock, Editor-in-Chief November 24, 2021

Eastern’s Naming Committee is tasked with reviewing a list of individuals who Douglas Hall could be potentially renamed after. The individuals being considered are former Illinois Governor Edward...

GRAPHIC BY CORRYN BROCK
Eastern's Naming Committee are tasked with reviewing (left to right) former Illinois Governor Edward Coles, former Eastern student and Tuskegee Airman Major Charles B. Hall, former Eastern student and former University President Louis V. Hencken, community members Ona and Kenneth Norton, Eastern's first Black student Zella Powell and former Eastern professor William Ridgeway.

Potential Douglas Hall name replacements

Corryn Brock, Editor-in-Chief November 24, 2021

Eastern’s Naming Committee is tasked with reviewing a list of individuals who Douglas Hall could be potentially renamed after. The individuals being considered are former Illinois Governor Edward...

Naming Committee member Steven Scher reviews a list of previous and future actions of the committee Nov. 18.

Glassman gives Naming Committee list of names to review for potential Douglas Hall rename

Corryn Brock, Editor-in-Chief November 18, 2021

A memo from University President David Glassman is asking the Naming Committee to review the following names/name recommendations that could be considered in the potential renaming of Douglas Hall: -Governor...

“Grandma and my mother as a toddler”

Life for Eastern’s first Black graduate’s descendants

Corryn Brock, Editor-in-Chief September 26, 2021

Editor’s note: This is the third part of a series detailing the life and legacy of the Powell family of Mattoon, Illinois, as well as the life of their descendants. Zella Powell, a daughter of the prominent...

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