In 1954, shortly after clearing the debt incurred by the construction of Alumnae Hall , the Board of Trustees, following the College’s strategic plan known as “Emmanuel of Tomorrow”, proceeded to borrow a one-million-dollar loan for the construction of a student union that was to be called Marian Hall. Originally this building was to be a convent building for  the nuns. Marian Hall was constructed on the 190,977 sq. ft. Chase C. Rice Property along Brookline Avenue that was purchased by the College for this reason in April 1955. Additional funds were provided by students who held variety shows and mother-daughter communion breakfasts. Funds were also provided by the Alumnae Fund. Its name was derived from the declaration of Pope Pius XII who pronounced that 1954 was to honor the Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven.

 

When the building opened on September 26, 1955, it was blessed by Archbishop Richard Cushing after which thirty-four students from Kentucky to Quebec settled into their dorm rooms on the fourth floor. Conveniences that the resident students found awaiting them included: a laundry room, a sundeck, an infirmary, and a kitchenette. In addition, the cafeteria was located on the main floor of the Hall and was brightened by colorful furniture and mid-20th century modernism windows. It was catered by St. Claire' Inc. The new gymnasium was arranged so that it may also serve as an auditorium. Approximately fifteen hundred people could be accommodated on the court and in the gallery. The movable stage was situated in the gym and could be transferred outdoors for College exercises. It aided with graduation exercises, class day exercises, dances, and other occasions and functions on campus.

 

Four departments were transferred from older buildings to Marian Hall. The History, Education, Philosophy, and Theology Departments conducted their courses in eight new classrooms. This will provide extra space for the Science and Language Departments in the other buildings. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur were also able to occupy several rooms in the main building for much needed convent space. The second floor of Marian Hall served as a space for student and faculty lounges. Student Government and student clubs used this floor for their business and social function. Moreover, a special student chapel, called the Lady Chapel, was also located on this floor.

 

Between the 1960s and 1980s, Marian Hall was used, not only for the above functions, but also, provided space for the Alumnae Office, and faculty offices on the fourth floor, as additional dormitories were constructed during the period. In May 1969, the Women’s Liberation Conference was held in Marian Hall on such issues as sex, family, health, race, karate, and witchcraft. It was at this conference that the authors of Our Bodies, Ourselves. In the 1970s, the building was used as a gathering space for student protests and lecture series. It was during this time, Marian Hall was the location of the Adjustment Counseling Center, Dean of Students Office and the offices of several Campus Ministers. In addition, on February 3, 1984, a Democratic Presidential Primary Forum on Women’s Issues was sponsored by WBZ and Emmanuel College. It was moderated by WBZ Liz Walker and hosted by the College in Marian Hall.

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In 1985, Emmanuel College issued a strategic plan to restore, as well as, update the academic and administrative facilities on campus to enhance quality academic and student life programs. The facilities planning was guided by three goals: to improve academic teaching facilities; to identify ways to increase use of buildings that are responsive to current and projected enrollment and program needs; and to identify opportunities for income to support the College's capital needs. By Summer 1986, renovations were underway in the Administration Building and Marian Hall.

 

Funding for the renovations to Marian Hall and the Administration Building was secured through a combination of loans and grants. In March of 1986, Emmanuel received a $5.2 million from the Health and Educational Facilities Authority (HEFA) loan to finance the facilities' renovations in Marian Hall and partial renovations to the Administration Building. The $5.2 million HEFA loan was part of a $200 million pool of low interest, tax-exempt bonds made available to hospitals, colleges, and universities in Massachusetts. Further funding was obtained through a $500,000 grant awarded to Emmanuel College by the United States Department of Education through the Academic Facilities Program.

 

The primary plans of the renovation project were to unify all student related support services within the Plaza Level of the Administration Building and a new social center. It also developed a state-of-the-art science facility within Marian Hall as the College discontinued use of Alumnae Hall. The science facilities in Marian Hall included modern classrooms and laboratories, a new greenhouse for the Biology Department, as well as improved dining facilities for students, faculty and administration.

 

As the College approached the end of the century Marian Hall faced additional challenges. This was apparent on September 16, 1995, when the floor in the Marian Hall foyer shook for three minutes it resulted in the building's evacuation. When the Boston Fire Department responded they examined the floor for damage. The building was intact except for the tiles. Eventually, it was determined that the tile floor buckled due to its age. This initiated a move to create a new student union in addition to Marian Hall. It would contain an atrium, student meeting rooms, a food court, recreational and fitness spaces, Athletic Department Offices, and a new gymnasium. A parking lot accommodating over 100 spaces will be built under the new gymnasium. The architectural firm of Goody Clancy and Associates and the construction management firm of Corcoran Jennison were hired to develop the plans for the building. It was constructed by Walsh Brothers Construction Company.

 

The new student union was named after Jean Yawkey for her dedication to the community through such projects as the Red Cross, the Jimmy Fund/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Tara Hall Home and School for Boys, and the Family Inn in Brookline, Massachusetts. It was dedicated on October 1, 2004.

 

In January 2021, Marian Hall became the location of the Nursing Department’s laboratory, conference, and study spaces. Adjacent to these facilities are located the Wellness Center and the Counseling Center.  

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