Mosher Jordan Hall

MoJo's Magical History 

by Emily Shapiro 

A magic spell, hex, or charm” is the definiftion of the word mojo; a fitting name for a the University of Michigan dorm with that nickname (Mojo). Mosher Jordan Hall (aka MoJo) is currently known by students for its excellent dining hall, but there's so more to the dorm than the good food and a cool name. This beautiful collegiate gothic dormitory with colonial face brick and limestone trim made history in 1930 when it opened as the first prominent women's dormitory on the University of Michigan's campus (“Mosher-Jordan Halls”). 

Mosher Jordan Hall. Photo source.

Almost all UofM students have heard of the dorm, they must be made aware of its important history. Mosher Jordan Hall is named after the first and second dean of women, Eliza Mosher and Myra Beach Jordan (“Mosher-Jordan Halls”). The building's nickname MoJo accurately describes the magic of how two inspiring women paved the way for other women to have a brighter future on campus. 

Both women were highly deserving of this special honor. Eliza Mosher graduated from the University of Michigan's Medical School in 1875 ( “Dr. Eliza Mosher”). She made history after being appointed the first dean of women in 1896 ( “Dr. Eliza Mosher”). Mosher was a great supporter of women's physical education and a professor of hygiene at the University's Literature, Science, and Arts (LSA) department (“Dr. Eliza Mosher”). She also paved the way for women professors to be widely accepted ( “Eliza Mosher”). Mosher’s students looked up to her, one even stated “her presence inspires confidence, and she …makes women feel that they can trust her implicitly” (“Eliza Mosher”). Although Mosher resigned in 1902, she gave hope to women worldwide by demonstrating that it was feasible to maintain both a job and a family life ( “Dr. Eliza Mosher”).

Myra Beach Jordan served as the second dean of women at the University of Michigan. It is said that the time she served as dean changed the University forever (“Myra Beach Jordan”). Jordan was well-recognized for being able to address every female student on the school's campus by name (“Myra Beach Jordan”). Unlike Dean Mosher, Jordan did not teach any classes at UM, which allowed for her primary focus to be on housing rules and regulations ("A Dangerous Experiment"). Jordan went on to establish the women's league houses and started requiring women to live in dean-approved housing ( “Myra Beach Jordan”). Another notable thing Dean Mosher accomplished was encouraging alums to donate to women's residences that we now see on campus ( “Myra Beach Jordan”). Jordan had a lasting impact on the University of Michigan and set a precedent for the duties of the Dean of Women.

Image source: UM LSA

Myra Beach Jordan. Photo courtesy UM LSA

To accurately represent this "magic," MoJo underwent a $65.1 million renovation (Gershman). This makeover aimed to preserve the original gothic aesthetic created in 1930 while enhancing the learning atmosphere (Gershman). It also included a multi-level lobby, new plumbing, elevators, heating, and a high-speed network (Gershman). 

The new dining center was the most significant component of this makeover. This unique dining area has around 700 "marketplace" style seats, with an additional 35,000 square feet of space to eat (Gershman). This new dining hall draws students from all over UofM's campus to eat their excellent food (especially the cookies). The atmosphere of the improved dining hall creates not only a fantastic place for students to eat but also for students to hang out and do work. This modernization of MoJo was necessary to represent the greatness portrayed by Dean Eliza Mosher and Myra Beach Jordan.

MoJo Dining Hall. Photo source: UM Dining

The name Mosher is a version of the English name Moger, French name Mongeau (meaning monk) and German/Swiss name Moser (relating to living near a peat bog or vegetable growing), according to Ancestry.com. The name Jordan comes from the Hebrew name for the river seperating Jordan and Israel, meaning "descend" or "flow down," according to BehindtheName.com.

Eliza comes from the name Elizabeth, which is from the Greek version of the Hebrew name Elisheva meaning "my God is an oath," according to BehindtheName.com. The website also says the name Myra was invented by a poet and likely either comes from the word myrrh (a perfume/incense fragrance) or the name Mary.

Works Cited 

"Dr. Eliza Mosher: The First Dean of Women." Michiganintheworld.LSA.umich.edu, michiganintheworld.history.lsa.umich.edu/dangerousexperiment/exhibits/show/educatingwomen/deanofwomen/elizamosher. Accessed 4 Dec. 2022.

"Eliza Mosher." Sites.LSA.umich.edu, sites.lsa.umich.edu/naming-project/people/mosher/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2022.

Gershman, Dave. "Renovated Mosher-Jordan offers a new dorm experience at the University of Michigan." Movie.com, 20 Aug. 2008, www.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/08/renovated_mosherjordan_offers.html. Accessed 4 Dec. 2022.

"Mojo." Merriam-Webster.com, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mojo. Accessed 4 Dec. 2022.

"Mosher-Jordan Halls." Bentley.umich.edu, bentley.umich.edu/legacy-support/campus_tour/mosherjordan.php. Accessed 4 Dec. 2022.

"A Dangerous Experiment: Women at the University of Michigan: Myra Beach Jordan." Michiganintheworld.LSA.umich.edu, michiganintheworld.history.lsa.umich.edu/dangerousexperiment/exhibits/show/educatingwomen/deanofwomen/myra-beach-jordan. Accessed 4 Dec. 2022.

"Myra Beach Jordan." Sites.LSA.umich.edu, sites.lsa.umich.edu/naming-project/people/jordan/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2022.