EIU Housing

HISTORY OF MCKINNEY HALL

McKinney Hall opened as temporary housing in 1959.  As the demand for on-campus housing options increased, the administration recognized the need for McKinney to become a permanent residence hall. McKinney housed 150 upper-class women.

McKinney Hall was named for Isabel McKinney who served at Eastern from 1904 to 1945. She was born in 1879 and graduated with a Master of Arts in English degree from Columbia University. Miss McKinney taught English and was head of the English Department from 1922 to 1945. She was the author of the biography of Livingston Lord, Eastern’s first serving president. She also wrote the words to our institution’s Alma Mater. Her last visit to campus was in October 1957, to look over the plans for the building to be named in her honor. She said it was one of the greatest honors in her life. 

McKinney’s construction cost $530,000.