Why is it named that?

As I have been walking around campus, I feel as if I run into a new building name every day and wonder, why is it named that? Unfortunately, Virginia Tech has hundreds of buildings with different names, some with the meaning of an alumni who embodied what it means to be Hokie and others labeled after the geographical location on campus. 

I more specifically wonder about the buildings that students live in, sleep in, get sick in, and speed run to the laundry room just before their clothes get dumped on the floor in. So, I found out the residential halls’ meanings that I was most curious about. 

Hoge Hall 

Hoge Hall is named after the Black couple Janie and William Hoge. In the 1950s, they gave support to Black students at Virginia Tech that were denied living accommodations on campus from racist policies. The couple opened their open home to Black students and employees and provided housing, meals, laundry, and community. 

Ambler Johnston Hall

The Ambler Johnston Halls are named after James Markham Ambler Johnston. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1904 and later became the co-founder of Carneal and Johnston, an architectural-engineering firm. Ambler Johnston helped design many of the classic gothic buildings that Virginia Tech is known for. 

Whitehurst Hall 

Whitehurst Hall is named after James Whitehurst Jr. In 1961, he became the first Black student to live in on-campus housing at Virginia Tech after previous laws denied access to Black students in non-academic life. In 1970, Whitehurst became the first Black person to serve on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, paving the way for future Black students in higher education.  

Eggleston Hall

The Eggleston Halls are named after Joseph Dupuy Eggleston Jr. He was the seventh president of Virginia Tech and helped set up the campus architecture to feature Hokie Stone. 

Harper Hall

Harper Hall is named after Laura Jane Harper. She was the first woman academic dean at Virginia Tech. In 1965, Harper became the dean of College of Home Economics and helped lay the foundation for women to have equal access and opportunities in academic leadership at Virginia Tech. 

Johnson Hall

Johnson Hall is named after John Samuel Adolphus Johnson. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1989. Johnson was the first director of the Engineering Experiment Station. During his time as director, he helped develop and design water and sewage systems in Blacksburg. 

Peddrew-Yates Hall 

Peddrew-Yates Hall is named after two people, Irving L. Peddrew III and Charlie L. Yates. Peddrew was Virginia Tech’s first Black student in 1953 and first Black student to be admitted at a four-year public university in the former Confederacy. He studied electrical engineering and faced massive discrimination as a student, causing him to leave before graduating. In 2016, Peddrew received an honorary degree from Virginia Tech. In 1958, Yates was the first Black graduate from Virginia Tech with a degree in mechanical engineering. He also later became a professor and a member of the Board of Visitors at Virginia Tech. 

Slusher Hall 

Slusher Hall is named after Clarice Slusher Pritchard. She graduated from Virginia Tech in 1927 and was a part of the group of the first five women allowed as full-time students. Slusher faced gender discrimination as a student but fought her way for women to be accepted and hold high-level administrative positions on campus as Virginia Tech’s registrar.  

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