In 1927, the dormitory for women completed in 1905, was named in honor of John H. Harris, President from 1889 to 1919, when the Trustees decided that "...the building now known as New Building be called Harris Hall." In 1920, just after the retirement of Harris, it had been proposed, "That the building known as the Women's College or the new building, be called Harris Hall", but this was declined by Harris. Harris died in 1925 and the naming occurred two years thereafter.

Several improvements to the building were made during the 1930's. In 1935, some changes "as required by law" were made in both Larison Hall and Harris Hall in the heating systems, electrical systems and fire alarms. Major improvements were made in Harris Hall in 1937, which included "…the complete revamping of the rooms." Until the refurbishing of Tustin Gym for women in 1938, a gymnasium occupied the entire upper story of the building where women engaged in physical exercise during the months when outdoor activities were not possible. In the summer before the beginning of the World War Two in Europe, some minor improvements were made in Harris Hall, as well as Larison Hall and Bucknell Cottage.

In 1945, Harris Hall was a dormitory for about seventy women.

"...the building now known..." BT '20-'50, 6/7/1927, p. 5

"That the building known..." BT '82-'20, 1/23/1920, p. 370

"as required by law" BT '20-'50 '20-'50, 6/18/1935, p. 1

"...the complete revamping..." ib., 12/18/1937, p. 2

The major sources for the information on this page are the Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Bucknell University, 1882--1920 (BT '82-'20) and the Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Bucknell University, 1920-1950 (BT '20-'50). Additional sources are the Bucknell University Bulletin, Catalogue Issue, Ninety-Ninth Year, 1944-1945 (CAT '44-'45) and the Bucknell University Bulletin, Catalogue Issue, One Hundredth Year, January, 1946 (CAT '45-'46).