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Building Description

The hall is named for Hallie Walker Hyde (1886-1961), the first woman chosen as leader of the student body. She served with an all-male cabinet at a time when two-thirds of the students were men. Notably, she was elected to the position more than 11 years before women were granted the right to vote in the United States.

The daughter of a physician, Hyde was born in Gary, South Dakota. She was a student contemporary of famed artist Harvey Dunn and a member of the Art Club led by Ada Caldwell. Hyde was active in the Miltonian Literary Society and served on the Jack Rabbit yearbook staff. She earned her general science degree from South Dakota State College in 1908.

Hyde established a distinguished career in higher education. She later earned a bachelor's degree in household science at the University of Illinois and a master's degree at the University of Chicago. She served as a faculty member at the University of Idaho, Des Moines College and Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh.

Hyde remained in contact with State wherever she taught. She sent regular correspondence for alumni publications and organized alumni activities more than 30 years after her term as senior class president.