Raiders at Northwestern have seen the North Hall when walking around campus. Well, to alumni from 1996 to 2002, North Hall was the new dorm to many women. In 2003, the name was changed to Stegenga Hall in honor of Dr. Preston J. Stegenga, former president of NW, and his wife Marcia in grateful recognition of their leadership and service to the college.
Stegenga Hall was built to accommodate the growth of enrollment the college saw in the 90s. It was the first residence hall with air conditioning, and for a while it had a nickname.
“It was affectionately called ‘the hotel’ when it was first built,” Marlon Haverdink said, who operates as Dean of Residence Life. He was a senior attending NW when the hall first opened.
However, the dorm hasn’t always housed just women. In the fall of 2010, 34 men called first south home due to the need for more male housing. For one year, Steg was a co-ed dorm.
On homecoming weekend, the resident director of Stegenga Caylan DeLucia and the resident assistances for each wing celebrated their home’s birthday.
“The RAs and I wanted to celebrate Steg, so we planned a small party,” DeLucia said. “We designed and ordered 25th birthday shirts, invited alumni to take a group picture with the building and shared cupcakes in the lobby on the Saturday of homecoming.”
Caylan DeLucia is the seventh resident director of Stegenga Hall. Being a residence director is her dream job.
“My favorite aspect is living alongside students and meeting them in their deepest moments of joy and sorrow,” DeLucia said. “It is an incredible privilege to be a neighbor, mentor, advocate and confidant to the beloved women of Stegenga Hall.”
In Stegenga, there is a total of six wings with two wings on each floor. Junior Riley Rasmussen, the resident assistant of second south, has been living in Steg for three years. In her three years, Steggy Keggy has been a favorite.
“My favorite memory in Steg was definitely Steggy Keggy and being able to spend the whole night laughing and having fun with my wing mates, and we won funniest wing,” Rasmussen said.
The sentiment about Steggy Keggy goes beyond students.
“One of my favorite memories is my first, and so far only, Steggy Keggy,” DeLucia said. “I love traditions, and it is a joy to carry on a tradition that has lasted more than 15 years. Seeing each wing bring their creativity, teamwork, and excitement to all of campus is a true joy.”
This year, Steggy Keggy will be held on October 8th at 8:25 p.m.
As many of the residents here love the event held by Steg, many others have smaller memories that involved their wing mates or roommates.
“My favorite memory is me and my roomie riding our scooter, Apollo, up and down the hallways even though I just found out that it’s illegal to do that,” Elizabeth Olsen, the resident assistant of first south and a resident for three years, said.
Jenna Aalbers, the resident assistant of second north, and Madelynn Harre, the resident assistant of third south have similar memories when it comes to living in Steg.
“My favorite memory from living in Steg so far, is the countless movie nights with my friends and staying up late with them,” Aalbers said.
Harre echoed the statement.
“Having late night movie parties with close friends, talking until we can’t anymore and playing board games in our rooms have been the best days of my college career,” Harre said.
Stegenga Hall has been a pivotal part of many women’s college career since 1996.
“My favorite memory from Steg is just the collection of small moments that create this beautiful place I get to call home,” Audrey Leyen, the resident assistant of third north, said.
Stegenga Hall has built friendships, created a sense of belonging and created lasting memories for the women who have spent time there.
