Mercer University’s Opening Days are just a few weeks away, and that means the residence halls will soon be bustling with activity once again. The University has nine residence halls on the Macon campus, many of which are named for Mercer benefactors or beloved campus and community figures.
Mercer’s two newest residence halls are Mercer Hall, which replaced University Hall when it was torn down in 2001, and Legacy Hall, which opened in 2016. Read on to learn about the namesakes of the other seven buildings.
Sherwood Hall
Sherwood Hall was completed in 1907, making it the oldest residence hall. Originally named Students’ Hall, it was renamed in 1920 for Adiel Sherwood, who helped found Mercer and has been called its “spiritual founder.” Sherwood was a Baptist preacher, educator and author.
Roberts Hall
Roberts Hall was dedicated in 1939 and named after Columbus Roberts, a major benefactor to Mercer and a Board of Trustees member. He was a successful businessman who established Columbus Coca-Cola Bottling Company, a dealership for Studebaker and other car brands, and the Pure Oil Co. in Columbus. He was named Georgia agriculture commissioner in the mid-1930s. He gave more than $1 million to Mercer in total throughout his life.
Mary Erin Porter Hall
Mary Erin Porter Hall was dedicated in 1941 as Mercer’s first residence hall for female students. Mary Erin Porter died in an accident at age 14 and was the sister of James H. Porter, a major Mercer benefactor who donated the funds to erect the building. Their great-great-grandfather, Oliver, was the first of five trustees when Mercer was founded in Penfield in 1833 and began a longstanding Porter family tradition of supporting Mercer.
Shorter Hall
Edward Swift Shorter was a well-known artist, philanthropist and lifelong supporter of Mercer. He was a Class of 1920 Mercer graduate and a member of the Board of Trustees and President’s Council. Shorter Hall, which opened in 1947, was initially named Edgewood Hall and then renamed after Shorter donated funds needed to complete interior construction. Shorter also contributed funds for the construction of Ryals Hall, Porter Gymnasium, Hardman Hall and the W.G. Lee Alumni House, among other projects. Upon his death, Shorter left a $1.5 million estate gift to Mercer.
Boone Hall
Boone Hall, completed in 1950, is named for Sallie Goelz Boone and connected to Porter Hall. “Miss Sallie,” as she was affectionately known by generations of students, began her work at Mercer in 1904 and served as a librarian, literature professor and counselor at Mary Erin Porter Hall. She was a confidant to students and a cheerful spirit who brightened the days of those she encountered, especially with her distinctive “hello” greeting. She retired in 1934 but stayed connected to the University as a librarian emeritus until her death in 1951.
Dowell Hall
Dowell Hall, which is also connected to Porter Hall, was completed in 1956 and dedicated in 1957. It is named after Camille Dowell, the wife of former Mercer President Dr. Spright Dowell and Mercer’s First Lady from 1928 to 1953. The 1957 Mercerian described her as “pure in spirit and in speech, gracious hostess, generous and faithful friend.”
Plunkett Hall
The namesake of Plunkett Hall, completed in 1965, is beloved philanthropist and Mercer benefactor Frances Sewell Plunkett. She and her family donated funds that led to the establishment of the Frances Sewell Plunkett Fund for Faculty Development, the commissioning of the Plunket-Sewell Memorial Organ for Newton Chapel, the installation of the Plunkett swimming pool, and many other campus developments. Plunkett was the wife of former state Sen. Lamar Rich Plunkett, who served on the Mercer Board of Trustees.
