06/06/2026
In the spirit of the H&D Alumni Reunion, here's a story we love from Gary...🥰🏆
Brotherhood Beyond the Halls: The Douglas Hall Five
Just over 50 years ago, five men met for the first time as the new residence life staff of Douglas Hall (now Powell-Norton) at EIU. Randy Johnson (“RJ”) served as Residence Hall Director, joined by his staff: Mark Swanson (Pit), Mark Geninatti (1st floor), Dale Morrissey (2nd floor), and Randy Bailey (3rd floor). None of them could have imagined that this professional introduction would become one of the most enduring friendships to come out of EIU.
At the time, Douglas Hall was not among the university’s most sought-after residence halls. Pride in the building was low, and the new staff set out to change that perception. One of their first initiatives was refreshingly simple: repaint the interior. Using surplus green army paint—quietly and without administrative fanfare—they transformed the hall’s look and atmosphere. The result was immediate: residents felt a renewed sense of ownership and pride in their home.
The staff’s most memorable achievement came through competition. They believed that if Douglas Hall performed well in campus-wide intramural sports, it would boost morale and its reputation. Historically, Greek orgs dominated these games, and residence halls rarely placed. Douglas Hall’s strategy was unconventional but effective: participation. With a large resident population, they fielded teams in nearly every event, earning points simply for showing up—even when participants had never tried the sport before. In gymnastics, for example, residents gamely attempted routines on the parallel bars and rings, earning points for effort as much as for ex*****on.
When the awards night arrived, expectations were modest. The group hoped for a 3rd place finish. When 3rd place was announced—and it wasn’t Douglas Hall—they were disappointed. 2nd place was called next, and again, not Douglas Hall. Assuming they had placed lower, they began to leave. Then came the surprise announcement: 1st place—Douglas Hall! Against all odds, a residence hall had defeated the traditional powerhouses. To this day, they believe it may have been the first—and only—time a residence hall captured the title. For residents and staff alike, it became a defining moment of pride.
More than five decades later, the bond formed in Douglas Hall remains unbroken. The five men still gather, celebrating not just memories but a lifelong friendship that began in those hallways. Their shared experience even inspired them to establish a staff scholarship at EIU, supporting future resident advisors in hopes that they, too, will discover the same sense of purpose, camaraderie, and joy.
Their story is a testament to what can grow from a simple commitment to community: pride in a place, belief in a team, and friendships that last a lifetime.
