Williston Hall is the third oldest building at NIU.

The building was named after John Williston Cook, who was the first president of the university from 1899 to 1919. Constructed between 1914 and 1915, Williston Hall originally was built as a women’s dormitory.

As a dormitory, the hall had 40 double occupancy rooms and 47 single rooms that accommodated about 120 women. After World War II, most rooms were changed into doubles, with only five single rooms available. This led to the increase of female residents, up to 232.

The hall had a total of 17 tubs and 11 showers. Each room was provided with running water, a private closet for each resident, some furniture and rugs.

After 54 years of housing more than 10,000 women, Williston Hall was rebuilt as an office space in 1970. In October 1984, $230,000 worth of remodeling was done to provide handicap accessibility, new bathrooms, a west entrance, a waiting area and more adequate facilities.

Debra Woodward, secretary for the CHANCE program, said the architecture of the building and the way it was built are what interest her most.

Woodward has been working in Williston Hall for three years.

“I like the way it’s centrally located around campus,” Woodward said.

Williston Hall currently houses the Office of Admissions, Registration and Records Office, Educational Services and Programs, ACCESS, the CHANCE program and Division of International Programs.