IWU Residence Hall Named for Harriett F. Rust
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."
Harriett Rust Profiled
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
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.