JANE E. ELLIOTT BUILDING
The building located west of the LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER was erected during the fiscal year 1931-32 at a cost of $305,000 and called the NEW WOMEN'S INDUSTRIAL BUILDING. It contained the cafeteria, laundry, beauty culture, all phases of art, domestic science, home economics, and the commercial departments. During the week of April 15-21, 1935 dedicatory services were held for the NEW WOMEN'S INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, the NEW MEN'S INDUSTRIAL BUILDING and the ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. By 1944 the WOMEN'S INDUSTRIAL BUILDING was known as the WOMEN'S VOCATIONAL BUILDING and referred to by the A and I family as the WOMEN'S BUILDING. Its current name was obtained on November 23, 1949 when the faculty, staff and students honored Jane E. Elliott, founder of the cafeteria system at Tennessee A and I State College in 1924, for distinguished service in the development of the cafeteria. With a continued increase in enrollment an annexation of modern facilities and equipment at a cost of $200,000 was added to the cafeteria in 1947, along with a music studio for instruction in piano, voice and instruments. By 1979 the building contained the main offices of the departments of art, social welfare, and sociology, the office of the Dean of Extension and Continuing Education, and an auditorium.
Jane E. Elliott, founded the cafeteria system at Tennessee A and I State College in 1924, the first to be established in a Negro college and the original one it is believed, to be established in the South. She commanded national attention to this area by stressing the importance of proper selection of foods for diversified diets to meet the individual student's need. Mrs. Elliott strode constantly and untiringly to improve the health of students through well balanced meals served in cafeteria style under beautiful and pleasing surroundings. In addition to her duties at the college from 1922- _ , Mrs. Elliott was an embodiment of culture, refinement and gracious living, deeply imbued with the Christian spirit.