EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University has completed the installation of signage for the newly renamed Judy Sturgis Hill Building and the Legacy - Sponberg Theatres.

The building name was chosen in honor of the late Emeritus Professor of Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts who has a lengthy and distinguished history as an Eastern Michigan University student and faculty member.

The name change was approved by the EMU Board of Regents in December 2020. The building has been the home of The School of Communication, Media and Theatre Arts (CMTA) since shortly after its construction in 1958.

Professor Sturgis Hill served in many roles on campus prior to passing away in January 2019. She was an EMU student, a member of the national championship Forensics team, a student activist on campus during the Civil Rights struggles, a resident hall advisor, a graduate assistant, a part-time lecturer, a recipient of a King-Chavez-Parks fellowship, a faculty member, a faculty in-residence (living in the First Year residence hall for a number of years to support students in their transition to college life), the Director of Diversity programs, the Interim Director of Office of Affirmative Action, the co-chair of the Martin L. King, Jr. planning committee from its inception, and co-Director of the Summer Institute for the Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Sturgis Hill was also EMU’s First National Forensics Champion, a recipient of the Alumni Teaching Excellence Award, a chosen faculty member to present in the Last Lecture Series, and a recipient of EMU’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award. Importantly, she also has a direct link to the disciplines housed inside the Quirk building.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.