The Rowena Longmire Building at Florida State University was the first building on the campus named for a faculty member. Rowena Longmire was an English professor and the founder of the Alumnae Association of the Florida State College for Women, which was the institution’s name when Longmire taught there. When the building opened it was called the Rowena Longmire Student Alumnae Building.
On April 18, 1908, Beta Rho, a three-year-old local organization at Florida State College for Women, became the Gamma Chapter of Chi Omega. Rowena Longmire was an alumna charter initiate of the chapter. She was a native of Palmyra, Missouri, and earned a teaching degree from Peabody Normal School in Nashville, Tennessee, and then a master’s degree from Florida State College for Women. She also had a Ph.B. and A.M. degree from the University of Chicago.
Gamma Chapter of Chi Omega, 1908, Rowena Longmire is third from the left in the top row of six women.
Early in its history, the chapter was proud to mention that she presented two addresses to state educational associations. She would go on to serve as president of the Florida Educational Association.
The February 1910 issue of The Eleusis contained a Founders’ Day toast written by Longmire.
During commencement week for the Class of 1916, Longmire entertained the chapter with an informal farewell party. White carnations, Chi Omega’s flower, were presented to the members. The February Eleusis told of a six o’clock dinner hosted by Longmire.
Longmire is on the right, circa 1915
A 1922 Eleusis boasted that “Miss Rowena Longmire, Gamma’s beloved active alumna, attended the University of Chicago this summer and will resume her place as an English instructor” in the fall.
In May of 1929, the Floridian Hotel was the scene of the senior banquet given by the Chi Omega chapter. Longmire, the faculty advisor, offered toasts to the seniors. Mrs. O.S. Lanier, the chapter’s chaperone and Longmire were entertained at a tea on April 4, 1930 at the chapter house. Longmire and Lanier were in the receiving line along with the chapter’s officers.
Rowena Longmire
An article in the September 18, 1938 Tallahassee Democrat was titled “Rowena Longmire Death is Deplored By Faculty Group.” The resolutions “expressing grief over the passing of Miss Rowena Longmire, member of the Florida state college faculty for 32 years, were adopted last week by the state college faculty at its first meeting of the new term.” The resolutions called attention to her maintenance of “the highest ideals of scholarship and teaching, with unselfish devotion t the college and to the state.” The resolutions were:
Whereas Miss Rowena Longmire, during her long connection with the Florida State College for Women, has so lived and wrought that all many profit by the example of her character and ideals; and
Whereas she has constantly maintained the highest ideals of scholarship and teaching with unselfish devotion to the college and to the state; and
Whereas both professionally and personally she displayed such dignity, integrity, steadfastness of purpose, and loyalty to duty as to provide inspiration to both her students and colleagues and to show them the way of truth and of light; and
Whereas the influence of her character no less than that of her work has been a building force of inestimable benefit to the college and through its alumnae to the entire state; and
Whereas she has steadfastly maintained a gallant spirit, youthful enthusiasm, and indomitable courage; and
Whereas her colleagues realize that hers was a unique place, which can not be filled;
Therefore be it resolved that the faculty of the Florida State College for Women hereby acknowledge our lasting indebtedness to her life, and our grief at her going.
In January 1939, the Chi Omegas placed a memorial plaque in the living room of the chapter house in memory of Longmire. Later that year, in April, the cornerstone of the Rowena Longmire building was laid. The building opened in the fall of 1940.
Rowena Longmire building
In late 1948, the Chi Omegas presented to the administration an oil painting of Longmire, and it was hung in the building bearing Longmire’s name.
