Hampton University Renames John S. Kennedy Hall Lobby to Honor Dean Jewel B. Long

HAMPTON, Va.  – Hampton University President, Dr. William R. Harvey honors the 54 years of continuous service and dedication from Jewel B. Long, Dean of Residence Life, by renaming John S. Kennedy Hall’s lobby in her honor. Long is set to retire in January. Kennedy Hall is a women’s Residence Hall built in 1918 and was one of the first buildings Dean Long worked in as a Resident Assistant and Graduate Assistant.

“Dean Jewel B. Long has been a loyal emissary of Hampton University for 54 years. She has given of her time, her talent and her devotion to help provide an education for life for all students. It is only fitting that we rename the lobby of Kennedy Hall in honor of our treasured Dean Long,” said Dr. Harvey.

Long, a Hampton alumna, is a memorable part of Hampton University’s legacy. As a student, she was assigned clerk-typist in the Office of Student Affairs, now known as the Office of Student Activities. Later on, she became a resident assistant for Stone Manor, where she was living at the time. She was a business education major and originally wanted to teach school. However, the university’s president at the time Dr. Jerome Holland, suggested she stay at Hampton after graduation to become a graduate student.

“This was a way for me to earn a degree for free, so I decided to stay. I became the first graduate assistant in what was then called the Area of Student Personnel Services,” Long said.

During her time at Hampton, Long served as Graduate Assistant for the Director of Student Activities and the Dean of Students, Residence Hall Director and the Assistant to the Dean of Women. In 1988, she earned the title of Dean of Women and worked under that title until 2015 when it changed to Dean of Residence Life.

Dean Long is big on community service and giving back. She calls her commitment to serving others a gift and will continue to do so after her retirement.