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Building Name
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Judy Sturgis Hill Building
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Description
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This building was originally constructed as the Quirk Dramatic Arts Building was named for Daniel L. Quirk, Jr., a member of one of the founding families of Ypsilanti, and also a philanthropist who not only supported EMU but also was patron of the little Theater movement in Ypsilanti. When it opened, newspapers called Quirk Dramatic Arts Building the "most modern building of its kind." The theater was originally built for the Department of English and Speech and included a theater with seating for 400, classrooms, television and radio studios, and an outdoor amphitheater.
In 2021, Quirk was renamed as the Judy Sturgis Hill building in honor of the late Emeritus Professor of Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts, Dr. Judy Sturgis Hill. The theatre's located in the Hill building were also renamed from the Quirk-Sponberg Theatre to the Legacy-Sponberg Theatres.
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Namesake Biography
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Professor Judy Sturgis Hill served in many roles on campus prior to passing away in January 2019. She was an EMU student, a member of the national championship Forensics team, a student activist on campus during the Civil Rights struggles, a resident hall advisor, a graduate assistant, a part-time lecturer, a recipient of a King-Chavez-Parks fellowship, a faculty member, a faculty in-residence (living in the First Year residence hall for a number of years to support students in their transition to college life), the Director of Diversity programs, the Interim Director of Office of Affirmative Action, the co-chair of the Martin L. King, Jr. planning committee from its inception, and co-Director of the Summer Institute for the Arts and Sciences. Dr. Sturgis Hill was also EMU’s First National Forensics Champion, a recipient of the Alumni Teaching Excellence Award, a chosen faculty member to present in the Last Lecture Series, and a recipient of EMU’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award. Importantly, she also has a direct link to the disciplines housed inside the Quirk building.
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Building Namesake
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Judy Sturgis Hill
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Year Constructed
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1958
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Date Dedicated
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14-Jan-59
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Building Functions
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Communication and Theater Arts; 400 Seat Theater; Television and Radio Stations
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Architect
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Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls, Detroit, MI
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Original Cost
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700000
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Architectural Style
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Modern
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Square Footage
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22600
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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).
