Events to celebrate legacy of Love Memorial Hall

University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Housing and Dining Services is finalizing plans to honor Love Memorial Hall with events in April and May. All alumnae who lived in the residence hall are invited to join in the Love for Love Celebration.

Love Memorial Hall, the longest-serving residence hall at the university, will close in May. The decision was made following extensive analysis and discussions and was due to ongoing maintenance challenges and decline in student demand for cooperative housing.

Love Memorial alumnae have maintained a strong network over the decades since the residence hall opened in 1940, united by the traditions and experiences they shared during their time living in the hall.

"The alumnae group is incredibly strong," said Matt Nelson, director of Residence Life. "Many of them are deeply invested in the hall's history. Their stories and memories are what make Love Memorial Hall such a beloved part of our university’s history."

To honor and welcome those alumnae back to campus, University Housing and Dining launched the Love for Love Celebration. The celebration aims to help preserve Love Memorial Hall’s legacy and remember its history through special events, as well as a social media campaign with shared memories from those who lived there.

Love for Love Celebration events announced include:

Spring Tea — April 5, location and time to be determined

Weekend of Love — May 9-10

• May 9 — 6:30-8 p.m.: Social hour at the Mill Coffee and Tea at Nebraska Innovation Campus
• May 10 — 10-11:45 a.m.: Tours of East Campus starting at Love Memorial Hall, followed by a brunch reception, noon-2 p.m., in the Great Plains Room of the Nebraska East Union

Alumnae are asked to RSVP for the events if attending.

Alumnae are also encouraged to share memories from Love Memorial Hall. Memories, including photos, can be shared online, via email to housing@unl.edu, or by mail to: University Housing, Attn: Love for Love Campaign, 530 N. 17th St., Lincoln, NE 68588. Later this month, the Housing and Dining Services social media channels on Facebook and Instagram (@unlhousing) will begin sharing these stories, and many will be highlighted during the May 9-10 celebration.

Alumni can follow along with the campaign also by subscribing to communications from the Love for Love Celebration team. Communications will include updates to events and information regarding the closure of the residence hall.

Love Memorial Hall was built with a gift from Donald L. Love in memory of his wife. The hall originally served students studying home economics. It eventually opened to all female students, regardless of major. In the decades since, it has provided students with a close-knit, community-focused living experience. Love Memorial is the only residence to operate as a cooperative, where residents are responsible for cooking meals and maintaining the building themselves. This cooperative model encouraged a strong sense of community and made living in Love Memorial more affordable than other campus housing options.

Questions about the celebration can be sent to Allie Woolworth, project director for Residence Life, at allie.woolworth@unl.edu.