On Nov. 4, Dartmouth announced the construction of Alumnae Hall, a new residence hall funded entirely by women, alongside the development of an accompanying four-acre Riverfront Park. The project marks the latest installment of a 10-year, $500 million housing initiative announced during College President Sian Leah Beilock’s inauguration aimed at creating at least 1,000 new beds for students, faculty and staff by 2033.
To fund the new hall, the College raised $27 million from 27 alumnae, each contributing $1 million toward the project.
The building’s name honors Dartmouth’s more than 35,000 alumnae “in recognition of their leadership around the world and their devoted service to Dartmouth,” according to a College press release.
The gift continues a growing national trend of women-led philanthropy in higher education and follows several alumni-driven fundraising projects during Dartmouth’s “‘Call to Lead”’ campaign.
The new residence hall will sit along West Wheelock Street and connect directly to Shonda Rhimes Hall, forming a new western gateway to campus. Riverfront Park will extend from the Connecticut River to the edge of campus and feature landscaped greens, an accessible waterfront, walking paths and a granite Dartmouth welcome sign.
“Housing is the key to enhancing so many parts of the Dartmouth educational experience and is core to the community we make here,” Beilock wrote in the announcement. “I am moved to see Dartmouth alumnae leaders come together through an innovative approach like this.”
Trustee Liz Cahil Lempres ’83 TH’84 formally announced the initiative before an alumni audience in Hanover, noting the project’s significance as the first Dartmouth residence hall named and funded entirely by women. The initiative will remain open to further alumnae donors who wish to join.
Clara Schreibman ’27 said she liked that the College will “have some female representation going on, 50 some-odd years after women being admitted.”
“It’s a great step in inclusivity and in helping women feel more included and represented,” Schreibman said.
Mikaela Browning ’26 called the idea of a dorm hall built entirely on the donations of female alumni “inspiring.”
“It’s incredible that we have gotten to a point that we can have a collection of female alumni donate,” Browning said.
Reah Donohue ’26 agreed, saying it’s “awesome” to be in spaces where women are “devoted to uplifting Dartmouth and students at Dartmouth.”
“It’s super awesome that Dartmouth is taking us seriously,” Donohue added.
The hall will house 95 juniors and seniors in three- and four-student apartment-style units complete with kitchens, private bedrooms and a community cooking space with a patio. The building will also feature a treehouse reading room with views of the river, according to the College.
All new construction, including Alumnae Hall, will follow high-performance energy-efficient building standards aligned with Dartmouth’s goal of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050, the College added.
Alumnae Hall is the fourth residence hall announced on West Wheelock Street in 14 months, joining the Class of 1989 Hall, Shonda Rhimes Hall and Russo Hall.
Construction of Alumnae Hall is set to begin in 2026 and scheduled for completion before the start of the 2028-29 academic year.
