orrest Hall opened in 1968 as an all-women’s dorm that included wall-to-wall carpeting, built-in furniture, and suite-style rooms, which was innovative for that time. The dorm was made possible by a gift from Katherine Forrest Mathers ’28 (19101979), a graduate of Dickinson Seminary. Mathers’ sister, aunt, and three uncles also attended Dickinson, as did her husband, James Mathers ’34, so the family ties to the institution run deep. Her regard for her alma mater, along with her generosity, prompted Mathers to establish a memorial at Lycoming College honoring her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Fletcher Bliss Forrest, and sister, Anna Forrest Burfeindt ’30. Mathers’ granddaughter, Anissa (Epple) Ritchie ’93, shared, “My grandmother passed when I was a young girl, but my mother (Melissa Jane Mathers) reminded me all the time while growing up that ‘Grandma loved Lycoming.’” Ritchie knew it was the school for her when she first stepped foot on campus. “As I walked around touring as a prospective student, I knew my grandmother would be so proud of me attending.” Forrest Hall Celebrating the History ’28 ’67 ’68 ’69 ’70 ’74 ’75 ’76 ’77 Katherine Forrest Mathers graduates from Dickinson Seminary The Bell, Dec. 8, 1967 of of In 1968, Katherine Forrest Mathers ’28 donates to Lycoming College in memory of her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Fletcher Bliss Forrest, and her sister, Anna Forrest Burfeindt ’30 Groundbreaking for Forrest Hall begins in September Forrest Hall construction is completed John Detwiler, acting president of Lycoming College, presents the Lycoming College Award of Distinction to Katherine Forrest Mathers ’28 for her generous philanthropy and dedication to the betterment of the College (June 7) Linda (Kramer) Morris ’73 and dormmates participate in the Forrest Hall turtle races in the hallway Suzanne (Ipri) Perlmutter ’74 tie-dyes a garment in the Forrest Hall bathroom of rooms 310 and 312 Forrest was new the year I was a freshman! Good times! - Sue Hunter Chynoweth ’74 Lambda Chi brothers carol in Forrest Hall (December) Linda Porr Sweeney ’78 and friends hang out in Forrest Hall The College considered closing Forrest Hall in 1976, citing declining enrollment, but the numbers increased soon after. The building remained open, but as a co-ed dorm by floor. 12 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2024 SPRING MAGAZINE
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