BLOOMINGTON, Ill.—Yesterday it was called New House.  Today it’s named Harriett Fuller Rust Hall.
 IWU’s newest residence hall was given its new moniker to honor Mrs. Rust, an Illinois Wesleyan University trustee, for her long-time contributions and dedicated service to the university.
 The announcement was made at a Board of Trustees dinner last night (Monday, May 10).
 "This is a grand tribute to a grand lady," said Craig Hart, president of IWU’s Board of Trustees.  "I can’t begin to tell you how much Harriett Rust means to Illinois Wesleyan.  Her enthusiasm and energy has helped IWU in so many ways, but especially, her strong commitment to our students, makes this tribute especially appropriate."
 IWU President Minor Myers, jr. said: "Harriett Rust is a beloved community leader, who is a model for the spirit of volunteerism that makes so many wonderful things happen in Bloomington-Normal and at Illinois Wesleyan.
 "We’re very proud," Myers added, "that generations of Illinois Wesleyan University students will live in a residence named for her.  We know she serves as an inspiration, and a role model, for these young men and women."

A biography of Harriett Rust points out: "Many Bloomington area organizations have benefited from Mrs. Rust’s time and energy over the years.  She served 37 years on the United Way of McLean County board of directors, retiring in 1984.  She was United Way vice president of planning for six years."
 Mrs. Rust served as a board member and president of Victory Hall Home for Boys for more than 35 years, and the Advisory Council to the Bloomington Board of Education for five years.  A long-time member of the McLean County Historical Society board of directors, Mrs. Rust served as that group’s president from 1985-87.
 Mrs. Rust’s can-do spirit was seen in the aftermath of a fire that damaged the McLean County Historical Society in 1972.  She was an active participant in raising $320,000 to get the museum back on its feet.  As board president, she accomplished the library material restoration program, a five-year plan, expanded the museum’s size, and acquired a 30-year lease on the Old Courthouse building to house the museum.
 Among Mrs. Rust’s community service activities are: Illinois Shakespeare Society, vice president, 1977-86; Illinois Wesleyan University President’s Club, president, 1983-present; and McLean County Historical Society board of directors, 1971-present.
 Mrs. Rust is the recipient of many awards, including: the city of Bloomington’s "Preservationist of the Year Award" (1995) and "Illinois Museum Trustee of the Year" (1998).
 Harriett Fuller married Edward B. Rust, Sr. on Aug. 7, 1940.  Edward Sr. was an IWU trustee for 15 years and headed State Farm Insurance for 27 years before his death in 1985.  She is the mother of IWU trustee and 1972 graduate Edward B. Rust, Jr., who is chairman and chief executive officer of State Farm Insurance Cos., Peggy (Mrs. Bill) Wetzel of Bloomington, and Holly (Mrs. Joe Tom) Wood of Evergreen Colo.  She has 14 grandchildren.
 Mrs. Rust was born in Central Illinois and is a Bloomington High School graduate.  She attended the University of Illinois before enrolling in the University of Southern California, where she was graduated with honors in 1940 with a bachelor of arts degree in speech.

Rust Hall, which opened for the 1997-98 school year, is a four-story, 54,000 gross square foot, brick and steel structure, which accommodates 118 students in various suite arrangements.  It is located at 201 E. Emerson St., Bloomington.
 The basic living unit accommodates four students and has two bedrooms, a living room, private bath, and walk-in closets.  Other designs include a six-student, three-bedroom arrangement, and a two-story, "townhouse" for eight students with two bedrooms on each floor.  These units are located on the building’s third and fourth floors and are connected by a spiral staircase.
 Among Rust "Hall’s" features are kitchenettes; enclosed, ground-level bicycle storage; a recreation room with study tables, couches, games, television, and vending services; laundry facilities; and lounges.  Rooms are networked to the Internet and wired for cable television.  Each room is individually climate controlled for heating and air conditioning.  Many of these features are the result of surveys and focus groups where students expressed their preferences.

IWU, founded in 1850, enrolls about 2,000 students in a College of Liberal Arts, and individual schools of Music, Theatre Arts, Art, and Nursing.