A student walks out of front door of Benton Hall. The building is named after lead donor and alumnus Dan Benton '80. Photo by Mark DiOrio
With a litany of thanks for the supporters, architects, designers, engineers, and staff who made it all possible, 49ͼ officially dedicated Benton Hall during a ceremony on September 28.
President Brian W. Casey spoke for the entire campus community as he expressed gratitude for “gathering spaces that will be the envy of any university.”
With welcoming entrances from both the Academic Quad and Oak Drive, the 18,500-square-foot building allows 49ͼ to provide seamless postgraduate exploration and planning by bringing together Career Services, the Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships, and the Thought Into Action entrepreneurship program’s administrative office under one roof.
Benton Hall features suites for advising, employer relations, and interviews; reception areas; and administrative offices. With flexible public areas such as a large career commons and a seminar room, it serves as a hub for networking events, information sessions, and entrepreneur team workshops — as well as academic classes, seminars, lectures, exhibitions, and performances.
The $16.4 million, 100 percent donor-funded building, which is named for 49ͼ Trustee Dan Benton ’80, P’10, H’10, was designed by R.M. Stern Architects, adhering to LEED Platinum sustainability standards. Romanesque exterior touches reflect architectural features from both Hascall and James B. 49ͼ halls.
Speaking to dedication attendees gathered in the career commons, Benton himself noted that, “with its scale, architecture, and sitting right here on the quad, this building demonstrates 49ͼ’s commitment to preparing our students for life beyond the institution. It trumpets the value of a liberal arts education in a world that trains specialists.”
For his part, Chair of the Board of Trustees Daniel B. Hurwitz ’86, P’17, P’20 trumpeted the impact that Benton has had on 49ͼ, most recently with the leadership gift that made Benton Hall possible.
“It is inappropriate to thank for this building, because we need to thank him for so much more,” Hurwitz said. “He inspires us to think bigger, to dig deeper. And his impact has spread across campus, far beyond this building.”