Alma Mary Hamilton

Alma Mary Hamilton (1878–1862) was an American educator and the first recipient of a bachelor's degree from the Teachers' College at Illinois State Normal University.

Early life Alma Mary Hamilton was born on April 11, 1878, in Bloomington, Illinois. Her parents were Matthew H. Hamilton and Lida Hamilton Johnson. She had three siblings.

Hamilton-Whitten residence hall Hamilton-Whitten residence hall at Illinois State University was named partly in her honor, alongside ISNU faculty member Jennie Whitten, opening in 1960. This was a recognition for her accomplishment in earning the first bachelor's degree. It was a virtually all-female dormitory that came about largely from the postwar population increase, necessitating more campus housing.

These dorms were especially significant in their marking of a shift in ISU's campus environment.

Hamilton-Whitten hall hosted many holiday events and activities for the students to enjoy. There was an article in The Vidette to commemorate all the events that took place there in its first ten years alone.

Death Hamilton died on April 29, 1962, at a nursing home.