Northwestern College has renamed its North Suites residence hall the Jacob and Hannah Heemstra Suites in honor of the college’s first president and his wife. The announcement was made yesterday (Thursday, October 2nd) during the board of trustees meeting.
Built in 2011, the suite-style hall houses about 68 men. The renaming recognizes Rev. Jacob Heemstra, who led Northwestern from 1928 to 1951, guiding the college through the Great Depression and World War II. Hannah Heemstra founded and led the Women’s Auxiliary, which provided vital support to the school.
Ray Heemstra of Bartlesville, Oklahoma—Northwestern class of 1945 and the Heemstras’ last living child—donated $1 million to honor his parents and Rev. Henry Colenbrander, longtime board chair. The gift also funded Colenbrander Plaza, a new outdoor gathering space and walkway toward De Valois Stadium, with groundbreaking held Oct. 2.
College President Greg Christy said the Heemstras were “legendary leaders” whose legacy continues to shape the campus. The couple had previously been honored by Heemstra Hall, a dorm built in 1950 and razed in 2010.
The featured photo above is courtesy of Northwestern College
