In 1925, the era of the “Roaring Twenties” was in at its height. A time of economic prosperity and cultural change, the United States was basking in a sense of optimism. A carefree spirit swept the nation as women adopted shorter hairstyles and hemlines. A bold style, known as Art Deco, embraced sleek, streamlined shapes and design and reflected the modernity of America.
The nation’s growth came to Greenwood, too, where Lander College (now University), was experiencing a rapid expansion of enrollment that created the need for a new residence hall for students. The solution was Chipley Hall, which opened to students in 1925. At the time, Lander was an all-women’s college, and in honor of that history, Chipley remains a women’s residence hall to this day.
A century later, Lander has partnered with a renowned artist and interior designer to give Chipley Hall a major facelift. Alongside Melissa Herriott, of M. Herriott Designs in Charlotte, Lander used the summer months to transform the historical residence hall ahead of the Fall 2025 semester. The space, now featuring comfortable furnishings in vibrant, bold colors, pays homage to the vitality felt on Lander’s campus when the residence hall first opened.
“After seeing the space, I fell in love with the building,” said Herriott, who filmed a design segment last year for HGTV Canada. “I wanted to honor the original design of the period with a modern twist that would resonate with students. The 1920s were a remarkable time of budding freedom and artistic expression. The era was marked by glamour. We wanted to bring that into our design, along with a sense of comfort and welcoming.”
The updated Chipley Hall features bronze-hued ceiling tiles which extend from the foyer through the first floor. The paint, selected by Herriott, has soft taupe and purple hues with rose undertones that add a feminine look to the interior. Furnishings include stained glass lamps, with ornate bases, along with chairs and sofas featuring throw pillows with the geometric designs of the Art Deco period.
“We recognized that this is a functional space, so we brought in a lot of seating. A round table has been added for study groups,” Herriott said. “Everything we have done harkens back to the 1920s and the style of the era.”
Joe Greenthal, Lander’s vice president for finance and administration, assisted with the project by working with Jackson Library archivists to find photographs of the women of Lander University through the years. These photos are proudly displayed on the first floor.
“The renovation of Chipley’s first floor has been carefully planned, not only for consideration of updating the existing area but also to celebrate the century of women who have been part of Lander University’s incredible story of education and excellence,” Greenthal said.
“Plans for the update have been underway for more than a year, and we are looking forward to welcoming a new generation of Chipley Hall residents to campus,” he said.
The hope and dreams of the Roaring Twenties now have a vibrant 21st-century twist at Lander, with careful consideration given to the future goals and optimism of today’s Chipley Hall residents.
Chipley Hall Renovation by University Marketing & Communications