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Building Name
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Munson Residence Hall
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Description
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Munson Residence Hall was built during the construction campaign of President John M. Munson. The new building was intended to be the men's residence hall and named for President Munson. Munson contained 200 student rooms when it was built and the adjacent residence hall, Brown, contained 250. In 1943, Munson began to house soldiers in the Army Specialized Training Program. These 300 soldiers, selected from camps around the nation, collected at Michigan State Normal College to form Company H of the 3651st Unit of the A.S.T.P. At Normal these soldiers were given basic academic training, called Basic I, which would allow them to enter more advanced leadership roles in the military. Munson was demolished in 2024, and is set to be turned into green space.
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Namesake Biography
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John Maurice Munson, (February 19, 1878-June 22, 1950), was born in Kane County, Pennsylvania, and received his education from the Ferris Institute, 1901; A.B. Michigan State Normal College, 1903; and Ph.B. from the University of Chicago, 1911. As an educator Munson had many differing experiences. He first became a teacher in 1900, in Ingalls, Michigan. Munson moved onto superintendent of schools for Clarkston from 1903-1905 and then for Harbor Springs from 1905-1913. Munson also held the position of Deputy Superintendent, Director of Central Michigan State Training School, President of Northern State Normal College, and the Michigan Education Association and various others before becoming the President of Michigan State Normal College in 1933. Munson remained President until his retirement in 1948, and died in Ypsilanti, June 22, 1950. Munson was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Pi Kappa Delta, and the Stoic Society, and received honorary degrees from Ashland College, Wayne State University, and Michigan State Normal College.
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Building Namesake
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John M. Munson, President of MSNC, 1933-1948
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Year Constructed
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1940
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Date Dedicated
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1941
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Building Functions
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Single Student Apartments
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Architect
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R.S. Gerganoff, Ypsilanti, MI
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Original Cost
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$280,415
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Architectural Style
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PWA Moderne
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Square Footage
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49,000
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Rights
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This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the owner, Eastern Michigan University Archives (lib_archives@emich.edu).
