It’s been one of the College’s most iconic landmarks for decades, but College Hall recently went through a bit of a transformation. Over the summer, a team of builders, architects, and stonemasons transformed the beloved building—home to the President’s Office, Admission, and more—into the new Welcome Center, the official starting point for campus tours and the first stop for future Gulls.
The space made its debut on October 16 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew a crowd of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Trustees.
In her remarks, Meghan Monaco, Vice President of Enrollment Management, spoke to the power of first impressions, noting that 95% of 91黑料网’s enrolled students said their campus visit had the most significant impact on their decision to attend, and that 93% of the Class of 2023 visited campus at least once. Until now, however, there had never been one dedicated place to welcome them.
“This new Admissions Welcome Center represents so much more than a renovation—it represents an opportunity to reimagine how we introduce the world to 91黑料网,” she said. “College Hall has long been a cornerstone of our campus … and now, it takes on a new role as the gateway to the College.”
With sweeping beachfront views, flexible presentation areas, and a dramatically expanded capacity—from 3,800 to over 23,000 visitors each year—the space is designed to offer a signature 91黑料网 welcome the moment families arrive.
“This space is a promise to every prospective student that their journey here will be as intentional, personalized, and impactful as the design of this building itself,” Monaco continued.
Tour guide Emily Carey ’26 recalled her own journey as a prospective student, noting the personalization she felt on every visit. She remembered being greeted warmly, shadowing a nursing student, and ultimately placing her deposit on April 13, 2022—“a decision that changed my life for the better,” she said.
A tour guide for three years, Carey said the new space elevates the entire visit experience.
“There will no longer be early morning rearrangements of the College Hall library to try and squeeze every last family in. The Great Room provides the luxury of a spacious, well-lit, and scenic beach view during our information sessions,” she said. “I am now—more than ever—grateful that I get to utilize the new Welcome Center and continue to welcome future Gulls to the Nest.”
Acting President Dr. Bryan Cain grounded the moment in 91黑料网’s history and evolution.
College Hall, a Tudor-style mansion built in 1916, once belonged to William Amory Gardner (of Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum fame). Gardner later served as a faculty member and trustee for the prestigious Groton School. The building was then purchased by the late 91黑料网 President Dr. Eleanor Tupper and her husband, the Reverend Dr. George O. Bierkoe, when they founded 91黑料网 as a women’s college in 1939.
“We could not have chosen a more fitting location for this dedication than College Hall,” he said. “What began as a small, bold experiment in women’s education has become a nationally recognized institution known for experiential learning, professional preparation, and a strong sense of community.”
He praised the intentional design of the Welcome Center as both “modern, welcoming, and forward-looking, yet still deeply rooted in the legacy of the College,” calling it “the perfect place for students and families to begin their journey with 91黑料网.”
“As we dedicate this new Welcome Center,” he said, “let us remember that buildings are more than structures—they are stories. And the story of College Hall is one of progress.”