Frances Willard

"The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in
friction when it could be turned into momentum."

- Frances Willard

Born in 1838 in Churchville, NY, Frances Willard has been hailed as one of the most famous women in the English-speaking world during the 1800's. Willard became president of Northwestern Female College in 1871, which later merged with the larger University. Three years later she helped found the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, a prohibitionist organization which also concerned itself with women's suffrage, prison reform, and prostitution abolition.

Frances Willard was well known as a lecturer, writer, journalist (she was at one time the editor of the Chicago Daily Post) and all around virago in the best sense of the word. She wrote an autobiography called Glimpses of Fifty Years in 1889.

Near the end of her life, Willard became a whole-hearted socialist, much to the surprise of her friends and supporters. On February 17th, 1898, she died of the flu in New York City. So much for sweet home Chicago.

Willard Hall was built in 1938 as an all female dormitory, and was named after Frances Willard because of her importance in Evanston's and the University's histories, and her strong support of women's rights. Its name was changed to Willard Residential College in 1972, when it became the first on-campus (officially) co-ed undergraduate housing, and joined the Residential College system.

 

Residential Colleges

Northwestern's residential college system was developed by University faculty in the early 1970's. In 1972 the residential college system was finally established, beginning with five colleges which later grew to eleven by 1991. Willard is of those original five, and one of two nonthematic residential colleges at Northwestern.

The residential college system is administered by the Office of the Provost, which funds the master's budget to provide stipends for the master staffs and to subsidize academic and cultural events. Residential colleges are also funded by students' social dues which are used by each college's student governing body to fund social events throughout the year.

In addition, the residential college system is connected to a Residential College Board, an advisory group comprised of each residential college's president plus a six member executive board. The RCB coordinates and sponsors academic, social, cultural, and philanthropic events throughout the year which aim to bring together members of every residential college as a unified community.

 

Traditions

Willard has many great traditions - amazing activities which take place year after year (or at least for the past few). When they're coming up this year, check the Events page for more information. Look forward to these great traditional activities each year:

Photo Safari

Every fall during new student week, Willardites take to the streets of Chicago in teams (sometimes cheering "Go Loyola!" for the protection of the innocent) to take as many zany photos as they can. We don't always get every photo on the list, but we have fun trying!

Frances Willard Party

Normally taking place in early Fall quarter, this party in faux honor of our namesake was one of the best known bashes on campus. The fun kicked off with the Hall Decorating Competition where each floor competed for the win, followed by a soiree the likes of which Frances Willard never imagined, complete with a wild dance floor, and hourly munchies. Sadly, the University outlawed the Frances Willard party after 2001.

Willard Formal

Each year, Willard's Social Chairs plan an extravagant formal - a chance for Willardites to look their best while dancing the night away. Last year's formal was held in Chicago's Sears Tower, with a striking view of the downtown Chicago at night, and this year's is sure to be just as amazing. This is the party to attend for fabulous food, dancing, and the most awesome wooshackers around.

Polka Party

Once they hit winter, some Willardites can become lonely and depressed. So what better way to lift their spirits than by oom-pa-ing their worries away - good old fashioned Polish food, polka, and (of course, cause it's Willard) fun! And could there be a better place for polka than Chicago!? Polka Party is traditionally planned by Willard's Academic Chairs.

Willard Follies

The Willard Follies is an exciting variety show featuring Willardites' talents (real or imagined). Volunteer for the show and show the rest of us what you're made of, or just come along to watch. The Follies are traditionally planned by Willard's In-House Chair.

Woo-au Luau

This Spring Quarter tradition, started in 2003, features crazy fun such as pudding wrestling, slip-n-slides, volleyball, a dip in Lake Michigan, and of course, plenty of food. Don't forget your grass skirts and hawaiian shirts for this revelry in the Sorority Quads.