Moving away from home for the first time to attend college can be a scary transition. The shift from living in the comfort of your own home with your family, to living in an entirely new space with new people can be a huge adjustment for some students. However, it can also be a beacon of opportunity for new relationships and self-discovery. According to former Parrot RD, Danielle Davis, Olivet’s residential facilities are the perfect spaces for providing these opportunities. However, although students spend a considerable amount of time living and creating memories in Olivet’s housing, how many students actually understand the rich history behind how these facilities became such a large part of ONU’s community?
Parrot Hall has the capacity to house approximately 190 students. The interior resembles the traditional residence hall layout, one that is relatively uniform amongst all of Olivet’s on-campus dormitories. Each 11×11 room is designed to house two students and a communal bathroom is located in the hall of each individual floor. The dorms also each feature a common lounge with a fully functional kitchen, as well as study rooms, a laundry facility, and small utility rooms on each floor. Additionally, students can freely utilize the chapel/study areas located on each floor.
The structure of the building is designed in a way that students not only have the necessary spaces for functional living, but also are able to enjoy areas that allow a space for building community and connecting with other residents of the hall.
“Besides my apartment, I like how the floors are connected in a big square, creating a great community for girls.”
Danielle Davis
In Davis’ opinion, ONU’s living facilities are one of the most important and significant buildings on campus. She believes that having a comfortable and functional space to come back to after a long day is crucial for many students, and that is why the history of the work behind making these buildings possible is so significant. As a Parrot RD, Davis has had the opportunity to watch how dorms like Parrot allow incoming students to feel at home and welcomed in a new, scary space/
According to “A. Leslie Parrott Obituary (2007) the Oregonian”, published on Legacy.com, Parrot hall was built in the late 1930’s and was named after the legacy of Doctor A.L. Parrot, former president of Olivet Nazarene University. Parrot served from 1938-1945.
Uniquely, the building was paid off in only 3 years, although it was projected to be paid off in 19 years. Parrot was originally constructed as an all girls dorm and has continued to serve that purpose since its origination. The Parrot hall construction project began when Olivet’s campus was moving to its current location in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Due to the spike in student enrollment during the time, especially with females, Parrot and other administration members saw an increased need for living spaces in the new location.
Although the building was built some time ago in 1930 when Olivet had just been established as a university, the building is completely original. “No renovations have been done aside from interior paint jobs and fixing things,” says Davis.
Parrot hall was one of the first establishments of the campus so many students inhabit now, however, it continues to have a lasting impact on the lives of ONU’s students.
“I think the lasting effects on the ONU community of this building are the lifelong friendships that come out of dormitory community living,” says Davis when reflecting on the impact facilities like Parrot have had on her ONU experience.
“This past summer I was in a wedding with a bridal party of 5, and all the girls had lived together in Parrott Hall. These walls create lasting friendships and bonds that create what Olivet is all about, community.”
