Dartmouth has announced the creation of Alumnae Hall, a new residence hall funded entirely by women and intended to serve as an addition to the College’s long-term housing strategy. The project is supported by 27 alumnae who each contributed one million dollars for a total of $27 million in funding for the building and an accompanying Riverfront Park. The announcement is the latest step in Dartmouth’s ten-year housing initiative, which aims to add one thousand new beds by 2033.
Alumnae Hall will be located on West Wheelock Street and connected to the future Shonda Rhimes Hall. It will be the first campus residence in view for anyone entering Dartmouth from Ledyard Bridge. Administrators have claimed this placement as intentional. Board of Trustees Chair Liz Cahill Lempres said the project honors more than 35,000 Dartmouth alumnae and recognizes their leadership and service to the University.
The initiative is still open to additional donors who wish to participate, but the overarching funding target has been met. According to the College, the idea started with trustees who wanted to build on recent patterns of female-led giving. President Sian Leah Beilock stated that student housing is central to the Dartmouth experience and that efforts as such demonstrate the potential of focused collaboration.
The new residence hall is part of a set of new construction projects on West Wheelock. In the past 14 months, Dartmouth has announced four new residence halls in the area: Russo Hall, the Class of 1989 Hall, Shonda Rhimes Hall, and now Alumnae Hall. Together, these buildings represent calculated investment in undergraduate housing in recent campus history. Construction on Alumnae Hall will begin in early 2026, with completion planned before the 2028–29 academic year. Russo Hall is scheduled to open in 2026; the other projects will follow shortly after.
Alumnae Hall will provide housing for ninety-five juniors and seniors. It will accommodate three or four students per unit and includes furnished kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. The building will also include a large community kitchen with a patio for student events and a dedicated reading room next to the Connecticut River. The College has emphasized that all new construction will meet energy standards that are consistent with Dartmouth’s goal of reaching zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Supporters of the new residence hall saw the project as a continuation of these developments. Trustee Susie Huang, one of the alumnae who helped launch the initiative, said the naming of Alumnae Hall provides an example of alumnae commitment that she hopes will motivate future donors. She noted that students who see the building may better understand the long-term impact of alumni contributions.
Students who spoke to campus media expressed a range of reactions. Some appreciated the recognition of women alumni and saw the project as a good addition to limited campus housing. Others questioned the broader expansion effort, noting that increased enrollment could erode the College’s tight-knit community and change the character of the smallest Ivy League school.
As Dartmouth moves forward with its plan to expand residential capacity, Alumnae Hall will play a central role in shaping the western entrance to campus for new visitors. Although questions remain about long-term housing strategy, the project reflects a clear institutional priority of expanding housing options through targeted fundraising. Alumnae Hall represents a significant chapter in Dartmouth’s ongoing effort to eventually expand its student body and modernize its residential system.
Be the first to comment on "Dartmouth Announces Alumnae Hall"