Evelyn Filleman
Over the summer, many renovations were done to prepare Harding’s campus for the current school year. These updates often include aesthetic changes and some larger projects in the buildings. Pattie Cobb Hall was a recipient of these efforts, with changes made to walls, flooring and roofing.
“The rooms and bathrooms were all painted a beautiful gray color, and floors in each room have new laminate flooring,” Heather Davis, Residence Life Coordinator for Pattie Cobb said. “Most residents have expressed how much they like the changes. Pattie Cobb also received a new roof this summer.”
These renovations were part of a rotation with the other residence halls, said Vice President of Student Life Zachary Neal. The renovation is necessary to maintain healthy dorm living conditions. More specifically, Pattie Cobb’s history helps determine which aspects of the residence hall are updated.
“It’s my understanding that Pattie Cobb is on the historic registry of Arkansas,” Neal said, “which means that whenever we do have renovations, we maintain its historical value in the architecture. The types of windows, types of doors… There are things we can and can’t do to certain things that are on the registry.”
According to the Harding University Archives, Pattie Cobb is the oldest building on Harding campus; the building was erected in 1919. The building was part of Galloway Women’s College before being purchased by the University and held the school’s cafeteria on its first floor for several years. The residence hall has a maximum capacity of 130 women, with 100 students currently residing there, Davis said.
“Pattie Cobb is quite distinguishable from some of our other dormitories,” Davis said. “It is smaller than the other dorms, which allows residents to truly get to know one another. Pattie Cobb is also centrally located on campus. This enables the students to get nearly anywhere on campus very quickly.”
Several students said the renovations were necessary.
“I lived in Pattie Cobb spring 2024,” sophomore Lindsey Triplett said. “Before moving in, I had to help my roommate clean out the mold in her closet. Our bathroom always showed signs of mold.”
Mold is a common problem in Arkansas; due to the high heat and humidity, most structures in the state suffer from growth, Neal said. Students like Triplett say there is a need for further renovation because of the mold issue.
“I hear the same type of comments made by students all the time, and we’ve responded to every report,” Neal said. “The age of the building and basement feature suggests that there may be a greater risk in Pattie Cobb for that issue. However, there are different types of mold in Arkansas, and there’s mold everywhere. You really have to ask, ‘What types of mold are we talking about?’”
Anytime there is a concern with a building on campus, the physical resources department is notified and measures are taken to ensure every student’s safety. “Air purification tests are completed on a regular basis, and there is no evidence of toxic mold,” Davis said. The recent renovations, in addition to diligent monitoring of mold and other growths, are just some of the many efforts made to maintain the beauty of Pattie Cobb. Davis said that it still remains an important building on campus, and is held close to the hearts of the Harding community.
“Nearly every female generation of HU students have lived here through Harding’s history,” Davis said. “It is one of the most visited buildings during Homecoming, Spring Sing, etc. because many visitors enjoy coming to remember their own time spent at Harding.”
