Hall History and Traditions
West Hall was named after Bessie Brooks West. Bessie operated one of the dining centers in 1946 for the Department of Institutional Management out of the extra barracks donated by the army near Moro Street. This dining center was nicknamed "Bessie's Beanery." In 1960 plans were developed for the Derby Complex to house 1200 women in four halls. West was built in 1962 and opened that fall. It was named in honor of Bessie B. West and was formally dedicated on Saturday, October 27, 1962. The cost to build West Hall was 1.3 billion dollars.
Prior to 2007, West Hall was home to only women. In the fall of that year, a small number of men joined the community. Beginning in 2009 West Hall will be completely co-ed, housing an equal number of men and women. West Hall has a very active community and a strong history of student leadership. Residents of West implemented a recycling program and helped to expand recycling efforts across campus. Annual activites in the hall include a BBQ with Moore Hall, floor points competition, the Go Green Recycled Fashion Show, and active participation in Homecoming events.
West Hall is also home to the Community Service Cluster Floor. Residence Life staff partner with Community Service Programs to provide service learning opportunities for West Hall residents. Previous projects include participation in MLK Day of Service, Relay for Life, Safe Trick or Treat and various projects at the Sunset Zoo and local elementary schools and retirement homes.
Bessie B's Best...
4th Floor residents 2008-2009
2nd Floor residents enjoying dinner at Derby
80's night in West Hall
"Go Green" Fashion Show Models
2009 RAMA Staff
Gingerbread House from"Cozy Winter Night" program
West Hall Relay for Life Team
Halloween Fun
5th Floor residents deorating shower curtains
Students from the Community Service Cluster Floor
participating in the MLK Day of Service
West Hall residents at the annual Housing Leadership Banquet
2009-2010 West Hall Staff
Residence Life Coordinator Diane Hess
Assistant Residence Life Coordinator Sofia Pablo-Hoshino
1st Floor RA Mabel Zhang
Community Service Floor RAs (2nd) Melania Arrieta and Joel Carroll
3rd Floor RAs Emily Selby and Mark Stevens
4th Floor RAs Elizabeth Keefer and Ben Adwell
5th Floor RAs Julia Snyder and Kevin Clark
Multicultural Assistant Gernae Roland
To learn more about staff in the residence halls, please visit: http://housing.ksu.edu/reshalls/staff.php
West Hall Governing Board (HGB)
President Joel Hardy
Vice President Ashton Archer
Secretary Mariana Redden
Treasurer Vicki Duree
Chief Justice Andrew Wagner
West's HGB is a great opportunit to get involved in the hall, gain leadership experience, and meet new people. The group meets weekly, plans events for the building, and helps initiate changes based on students' needs in West Hall.
The HGB is looking for student leaders to be involved for the 2009-2010 academic year. West Hall will also be hiring students to work at the front desk as Community and Door Assistants. For more information about both of these opportunities or West Hall in general please email Diane Hess, RLC, at dmhess@k-state.edu.
For information on upcoming hall events, follow us on Twitter @bessiebwest
Bessie Brooks West