Hoyt Residence Hall

Building Name

Hoyt Residence Hall

Description

Hoyt Residence Hall was constructed in 1968 as one of three 11-story structures known as “The Towers”. Hoyt was originally a women only dormitory. There were fires in all three of “The Towers” buildings in 1987, and Hoyt was the most heavily damaged resulting in a $1.5 million remodeling project which spanned five floors. As of 2024, Hoyt is no longer utilized as a residence hall and is likely going to be demolished.

Namesake Biography

Charles O. Hoyt was born in Middlesex, New York, July 12, 1856. As a young boy, he and his family moved to Saline, Michigan, where he graduated from high school. He received an A.B. degree from Albion College in 1896, attended the University of Jena, 1901-1903, and received his Ph.D. degree in 1903. Hoyt began his teaching career in rural school at age sixteen; he was the school principal at Blissfield, Michigan, 1877-1881; Superintendent of schools, Wyandotte, Michigan, 1881-1886; Grass Lake schools, 1886-1889; Jackson schools, 1889-1893; and Lansing schools, 1896-1896. He then came to Michigan State Normal College as director of the training school, 1896-1898; and then became Professor of Pedagogy, 1898-1900; Professor of Philosophy and Education, 1900-1920, and finally, Head of the Department of Education until his death. During his more than thirty years of service in the college, he became known as one of the more creative teachers and educational lecturers of the state. As a conductor of teachers institutes, his work took him to all sections of Michigan and into Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, and was constantly in demand as a commencement speaker. With Dr. R. Clyde Ford, he was co-author of John D. Pierce, Founder of the Michigan School System; A Study of Education in the Northwest, published 1905, he also authored "Studies in the History of Modern Education," published 1908, and also wrote numerous magazine articles and pamphlets. Hoyt was a member of the National Education Association and the Michigan Education Association. While on campus, he organized the campus chapter of the Phi Delta Pi fraternity and for thirty years was its only patron. During those years he stressed for the more than four hundred members who came under his influence scholarship, loyalty, fraternalism and morality. In Hoyt's city and church life he was a member of the First Methodist Church and taught a large student class, he was also a Mason and a member of the Rotary Club. Charles Oliver Hoyt died at his home on Forest Avenue, Ypsilanti, April 14, 1928, after a long and serious illness.

Building Namesake

Charles Oliver Hoyt, Professor of Pedagogy, Head of Education Department, 1896-1928.

Year Constructed

1968

Date Dedicated

24 October 1969

Building Functions

Single occupancy residence hall.

Architect

K.F. Leinninger Associates of Birmingham, MI

Original Cost

$1,500,000

Architectural Style

International

Rights

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).