Gertrude Sellards Pearson Scholarship Hall at the University of Kansas: A Living and Learning Community
The University of Kansas (KU) offers a unique residential experience through its 12 scholarship halls, fostering camaraderie, collaboration, and a strong sense of community. Among these is the Gertrude Sellards Pearson (GSP) Scholarship Hall, a co-ed residence hall that combines comfortable living with educational opportunities.
Location and History
Located in KU's North District, along the ridge where KU was founded in 1866, GSP Hall is a short, level walk away from the Kansas Union, Memorial Stadium, and downtown Lawrence. This prime location provides residents with easy access to campus resources and city amenities.
GSP Hall opened in 1955 and underwent renovations in 2012, modernizing its facilities while retaining its unique character. The hall is also home to North College Cafe, named for North College, the first KU building at that site.
Features and Amenities
GSP Hall offers a range of amenities designed to enhance the living and learning experience of its residents. These include:
- Room Options: GSP offers 1-, 2-, and 4-person rooms to accommodate various preferences and budgets.
- Furnishings: Each room comes furnished with an extra long twin-size bed (36" x 80"), a desk (42"w x 24"d x 30"h), a desk chair, and a dresser (31.5"w x 24"d x 30"h). Closets offer approximately 3 ft. of closet space for each resident with an average of 60" vertical inches of hanging space and a shelf above the hanging rod. All windows are furnished with blinds.
- Community Spaces: GSP features large living rooms on each floor, providing ample space for socializing and relaxation. The main floor has several gathering spaces - a comfortable living and lounge area, a room with tables and chairs for group study, a hearth room (note the oil painting of Gertie above the fireplace) and a room with a pool table.
- Technology and Convenience: Wireless internet and laundry facilities are provided for residents' convenience.
- Community Bathrooms: Each floor has a community bath and a single private bathroom.
Educational Resources
GSP Hall integrates educational resources into its environment, engaging students outside the classroom. Residence hall gallery displays are featured throughout the lobbies, serving as an educational resource to engage students outside the classroom. The mural in the main lobby features the diverse physiographic regions of Kansas. Each floor lobby highlights a theme from the mural. Kansas geologic and natural history is fascinating in its scope and diversity, and students learn while passing by, socializing, studying, dining, attending meetings, participating in programs, and simply living in our facilities. Kansas’ rich landscapes are shaped by ancient oceans and reshaped by human pursuits such as farming and mining. Geologists divide Kansas into 11 regions based on common features and each tells a unique story. Each floor lounge in GSP Residence Hall highlights one region.
Read also: Unlocking Potential: Posse Scholarship
Sellards Scholarship Hall: A Women's Community
Within the larger context of KU's scholarship halls, Sellards is a women's scholarship hall home to about 50 residents. Sellards residents host several events throughout the year, including their annual "International Dinner" themed around a different country every year. Sellards features a large kitchen, dining room, and living area. When something strange happens in Sellards, the residents often lovingly blame the "Ghost of Gertie." The hall has an academic resource center with computers and study aids. The floor plans for Douthart, Grace Pearson, and Sellards Hall are all similar. Each four-person suite has two 2-person bedrooms and a common room. The beds are bunked. Beds in Douthart and Grace Pearson were changed in summer 2021 to extra long twins (36" x 80"). Sellards rooms will continue to have standard twin size mattresses (36" x 75") because of the room size.
The Scholarship Hall Experience
Each scholarship hall houses a community of about 50 people. Students who want to be a part of a scholarship hall should sign a housing contract, then fill out the additional scholarship hall materials in the KU Housing portal. Rooms are selected by the students in a process determined by each hall. There are no single rooms in any scholarship hall. Potential residents who are touring the scholarship hall community typically meet at Crawford Community Center for the start of the tour. Crawford is shared by all the scholarship halls.
Living in a scholarship hall is more than just a traditional housing experience - it’s an opportunity to connect, engage and build lasting friendships. Students in the scholarship halls benefit from a supportive environment where academic achievement, personal growth and community engagement are celebrated! From study groups to social outings, KU Schol Halls provide a space for students to thrive both academically and socially. By supporting KU Schol Halls on One Day One KU, you are helping to nurture the next generation of leaders, scholars and change-makers. Your gift on Feb. 20-21 ensures that students continue to have access to this unique and enriching living experience that forever shapes them as human beings, preparing them for a lifetime of success.
Read also: Crafting Perfect Thank You Notes
Read also: Foundation Scholarship Details
tags: #sellards #scholarship #hall #university #of #kansas
