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Honoring our history

Why Is Marietta Saying Goodbye to Dorothy Webster Hall?

We know Dorothy Webster means far more to many alumni than bricks and mortar. It was home. 

For generations of students, Dorothy Webster Hall has shaped countless memories and been the birthplace of friendships formed, lessons learned, and lives changed. Those experiences remain an important part of Marietta’s story.

We share the deep appreciation for the building’s place in Marietta’s history. Built in 1870, the house represents a tangible connection to generations who came before us. We understand that saying goodbye to such a familiar and beloved place brings a genuine sense of loss. It is precisely because Dorothy Webster matters that the decision about its future was approached with such care.

Structural Issues

Unfortunately, professional assessments have shown that returning Dorothy Webster to service as a residence hall that meets the needs of today’s students would require extensive investment and intervention that is neither practical nor financially responsible.

Those assessments identified a deteriorating sandstone foundation, significant water intrusion and moisture concerns, and visible exterior deterioration, including separation of the front facade from the building. Over time, renovations also removed or altered many of the original architectural details and interior features that once contributed to the building’s historic character. The College has demonstrated a commitment to preservation when feasible, but the circumstances of each building are different. The current decision must be based on the structure as it exists today. 

Challenges/limitations to Providing Needed Facility Functionality

Dorothy Webster also presents substantial accessibility and functionality challenges because of its age, layout and structural limitations. Creating an accessible residence hall is not simply a matter of updating finishes or adding modern amenities. It requires a living environment that students with varying needs can navigate, use and call home.

Even with significant investment, the building’s physical constraints would limit our ability to provide the accessible, functional and high-quality residential experience we believe today’s and tomorrow’s students demand and deserve.

The building’s structural challenges make a comprehensive renovation to modern residential standards impractical.

Financially Responsible Decisions

The decisions regarding Dorothy Webster Hall’s future were not made hastily or without thoughtful consideration. The Board of Trustees walked through the structures before decisions were made and carefully evaluated the estimated cost of renovating or historically restoring the building, which would be approximately two to three times as much as the planned new construction. Even with that work, the building would still have significant limitations in the number of bedrooms/beds and quality of residential capacity the College could provide as compared to the new construction. 

Responsible stewardship requires difficult choices between preserving what has served us well and investing in what students will need for generations to come. In this case, we had to identify the approach that would deliver the greatest benefit to students, provide the quality and quantity of housing Marietta needs for growth, and make responsible use of the resources entrusted to the College. 

The opportunity created by Joe and Linda’ Chlapaty’s historic $55 million commitment allows Marietta to address needs that are central to the College’s future: enrollment growth and the student experience. Our goal is not simply to replace an old building with something new. It is to make a meaningful improvement in residential life and strengthen our ability to attract, support and retain students who will thrive at Marietta.

Honoring What Endures

Places hold memories, but those memories can outlive the physical structures in which they were made. Dorothy Webster has served generations of Pioneers, and its place in Marietta’s history will not disappear when the building does.

What made Dorothy Webster special was never contained within its walls alone. It was the friendships formed there, the conversations in hallways and rooms, the traditions shared and the unmistakable sense of belonging that generations of students found there.

Buildings change. The feeling of coming home to Marietta does not.

That feeling comes from people, relationships and a sense of belonging that have defined this community across generations. Our responsibility now is to create a place where future Pioneers can experience that same sense of home and make memories of their own.

While this chapter in the building’s history is coming to a close, the stories created there will remain part of Marietta’s story. As part of this transition, we are committed to preserving Dorothy Webster's story and finding meaningful ways for the history of the building and its namesake to remain visible to future generations of Pioneers.

Help us preserve the story of Dorothy Webster for generations to come. We invite alumni to share their memories, photographs and stories of Dorothy Webster at .

How will the College continue to honor Barbara Diggs Lyles ’51?

Dr. Barbara Diggs Lyles ’51 was Marietta’s first African American woman graduate, and she earned her degree in just three years. She later recalled that when administrators learned she was African American, her arrival was “both unexpected and undesirable.” She persevered. After earning a bachelor’s degree in biology from Marietta, she went on to earn a master’s degree in psychology from Howard University and a Ph.D. in psychoeducational studies from the University of Maryland.

Her determination opened doors for every student who followed. We named the house on Fourth Street for her so that her story would be part of daily life on campus, and that commitment has not changed.

Her legacy will have a permanent place at Marietta. We are committed to creating a new and lasting tribute, and we will develop it together with her family, alumni and College leadership. We will share those plans before the completion of both facilities.

In the meantime, the student programming that has called Barbara Diggs Lyles House home will move to Andrews Hall, right in the center of campus.

How will the College recognize the people behind the other named buildings being removed?

Every name on a Marietta building represents someone who made a real difference here, and we do not take that lightly. As plans for the new first-year housing and graduate health sciences building take shape, we will work with families and alumni to find meaningful ways to carry their legacies into these new spaces. We will share those plans as they are finalized.

We also know these buildings hold countless memories. We would love for alumni to share their stories with us, so we can collect, preserve and share them as we look ahead to our 200th anniversary in 2035.

Will anything be saved from the buildings, such as bricks, signs or plaques?

Yes. We are still deciding exactly what will be preserved for historical purposes.

Can I share memories or photos of these buildings?

Please do! We would love to collect your memories and photos and feature them on the College’s website. You can submit them at .

The gift and the timeline

Here’s the short answer: first-year students will move into a renovated Marietta Hall in Fall 2027, the new first-year housing complex will open in Fall 2028, and the graduate health sciences building will open in Winter 2029.

Our timeline is ambitious but realistic, though we know that timing may need to be adjusted as projects begin. Both projects matter for the students choosing Marietta today and for for them to remain here once they arrive.

Tentative timeline at a glance

• Now: Renovations begin on Marietta Hall
• Fall 2027: The Class of 2031 moves into the renovated Marietta Hall
• Fall 2028: The first-year housing complex is ready for students
• Winter 2029: The graduate health sciences building opens on Fourth Street

First-year housing

A significant part of the gift will go toward fully renovating Marietta Hall and Elsie Newton and Mary Beach Halls. We want our students’ first home on campus to feel modern and welcoming, and to reflect the quality of a Marietta education.

Students will have pod-style restrooms that balance privacy with community, and the rooms will be newly air conditioned, something today’s students expect. A new outdoor space will give residents a place to gather and give Student Life room to host events throughout the year.

To make this possible, Dorothy Webster Hall will be taken down and we currently plan to take down Russell Hall. A key contributing factor to why we decided to take down Dorothy Webster is because it is beyond reasonable repair given its age and condition. Russell is in the flood plain, which makes renovating it unfeasible. We know many alumni have wonderful memories of these halls, and we hope you will share them with us via our submission form. We are confident the new spaces will become places where future Pioneers make memories of their own.

Graduate health sciences building

The new building on Fourth Street will include classrooms, laboratories, simulation spaces and areas where students and faculty can work side by side. Students will be able to do simulations and other hands-on training right here on campus, while continuing to gain clinical experience with our health care partners.

Making room for the building means removing Pioneer House, Hopewell House, and Barbara Diggs Lyles House. You will find more below about how we plan to honor Barbara Diggs Lyles ’51, Marietta’s first African American woman graduate.

We will share more details as construction gets closer.

Campus life during construction

Where will first-year students live while the halls are under construction?

Renovations to Marietta Hall will be finished before the Class of 2031 arrives in Fall 2027. Sophia Russell Hall is still a functioning residence hall that can be used next fall. If we need more space while the remaining halls are completed, we will make additional rooms available elsewhere on campus.

Where will members of Alpha Sigma Phi live after the Hopewell House is taken down?

Arrangements have been made for the eight current members to reside in an eight-person apartment in McCoy Hall, with four bedrooms and a common living area, providing the opportunity to remain together.  

Will current students be affected by construction noise, parking or closed paths?

Marietta has completed many construction projects over the years, including Legacy Library, the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center and Harrison Hall. While it’s impossible to eliminate every inconvenience, we will work closely with the construction company to limit noise during peak hours and keep other disruptions to a minimum. If pathways or parking need to change, we will make sure there are good alternatives for students, employees and visitors.

What will happen on Fourth Street during construction, and how will neighbors be kept informed?

This project will transform the Fourth Street side of campus, but it also means 18 to 24 months of construction. There will be some inconveniences, and we will do everything we can to keep them to a minimum. We will stay in regular contact with our campus partners and the broader Marietta community, especially our downtown neighbors, through email updates and on a project web page that will be added later this fall.

Will the renovated halls be accessible to students with disabilities?

Yes. The renovated residence halls, as well as the new health sciences building, are designed to have accessible rooms and common spaces on the first floors.

Health care and our region

How will these graduate programs help meet health care needs in southeastern Ohio and Appalachia?

Hospitals and health care providers across our region need more trained professionals. We have heard that clearly in conversations with local health care leaders and through the work of 911������’s Center for Appalachian Innovation. The College is building a set of integrated programs to enhance our region and its workforce. The graduate programs we plan to add are designed to help fill those positions. They include our current Physician Assistant Program, as well as two additional graduate programs in Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and Occupational Therapy.

Will the College keep its relationships with local hospitals and clinical partners?

Yes. We have strong, long-standing partnerships throughout the regional health care community, and we have consulted many of those partners about which programs to add and what the new health sciences facility should include.

The campaign and how to help

What is The Campaign for 911������: More History to Make?

It’s a five-year effort to bring the College’s strategic plan to life. That plan is an ambitious vision for Marietta’s future, developed by senior leadership and the Board of Trustees together with faculty, staff and students.

The campaign’s goal is $55 million, or $11 million a year for the next five years. It’s separate from the Chlapatys’ $55 million gift and doesn’t fund the new building projects. Instead, it supports four initiatives:

1. Advancing Innovation and Access
2. Fostering Student Engagement and Success
3. Cultivating 911������ Partnerships
4. Securing a Strong Financial Future

To learn more, visit .

Are naming opportunities available in the new spaces?

Yes! Naming a space in one of the new or renovated buildings is a wonderful way for alumni and friends to leave a lasting mark on Marietta. We’ll know how many spaces are available once the final designs for each building are complete.

As these projects move forward, we’ll also look for ways to honor the people whose names were on the buildings being removed. To learn more, please contact our Advancement team at morehistory@marietta.edu.

How can I support the campaign or these projects?

Every Pioneer connects with Marietta in a different way. You may be passionate about opening doors for students, creating transformative learning experiences, strengthening our community, advancing a particular program or making sure Marietta is ready for generations to come.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and you do not need to know exactly where to begin. Just reach out to the Advancement Team at morehistory@marietta.edu and tell us a little about what inspires you. A member of our Advancement team will follow up personally to listen, answer your questions and help you find the opportunity that feels most meaningful to you. You can also learn more at .

How can I follow the progress of construction?

In the coming weeks and months we will post regular updates, including photos and videos, along with a timeline on this page so you can keep track of our progress.