Cultivating Campus Life and Community Belonging
Through projects that strengthen campus safety, reimagine student housing, revitalize gathering spaces, and celebrate cherished traditions, McDaniel is cultivating a dynamic and inclusive community. Each investment supports the people and places that make the Hill feel like home.
Enhancing Campus Vibrancy
Building a Brighter, More Connected Hill
A vibrant campus is the heartbeat of McDaniel — a place where students build friendships, discover new passions, and feel part of something larger than themselves. These projects strengthen that sense of connection and pride by reimagining the spaces and experiences that define life on the Hill. Initiatives Include:
Revitalizing North Village Courtyard
Creating a lively outdoor destination for upper-level students to gather, relax, and connect.
Transforming Student Housing
Modernizing residence halls with updated rooms, lounges, and community spaces that promote well-being and connection.
Enhancing Campus Safety
Investing in upgrades like card-access entry and improved lighting to create a secure environment where students can thrive.
Promoting Campus Events & Traditions
Celebrating pride and belonging through events that unite students and alumni year after year.
Elevating Green Terror Athletics
Building Pride, Teamwork, and Connection
Athletics at McDaniel is more than competition, it’s community in motion. From locker rooms to coaching investments, we’re building spaces and resources that empower our student-athletes to lead, excel, and inspire pride across campus. Initiatives Include:
Gill Stadium Locker Rooms
Team-specific, professional-grade facilities that elevate the student-athlete experience and recruitment.
Track Upgrades
A bold new track that enhances safety, expands community engagement, and proudly showcases McDaniel’s spirit.
Gill Center Enhancements
Updates to the basketball court, bleachers, and gymnasium that improve accessibility and create memorable experiences for players and fans.
Coaching Endowments
Investments that attract and retain outstanding mentors who shape leaders both on and off the field.
Featured Projects
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Athletics Coaching Investments
Coaches are among the most influential figures in a student-athlete’s life, inspiring pride, character, and leadership that extend far beyond the field or court. In addition to facility upgrades, the college is seeking resources to enhance its athletics programs through investments in coaching.
Track Renovation
As announced during the 2024 Homecoming pregame celebration, construction of McDaniel’s bold new track has finally come to completion. Brandishing our signature green-and-gold stripes, the updated facility is able to host track and field competitions for the first time in years — now with improved safety and a design that reflects McDaniel’s pride in its student-athletes.
Gill Stadium Locker Rooms
The college is excited to pursue upgrades for our Division III student-athletes at Gill Stadium with the addition of new locker units in the team rooms underneath the stadium. The teams that use Gill Stadium — football, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, and field hockey — will soon benefit from team-specific, professional-grade locker rooms that will alleviate overcrowding in the Gill Center locker rooms.
Supporting Campus Safety Initiatives
Upgrades that enhance campus safety have a ripple effect across campus — more than simply physical improvements, these investments contribute to the vibrant and warm campus experience our students deserve.
Gill Center Improvements
Improvements to the basketball court will facilitate safer competition between men’s and women’s basketball players, and brand-new top-of-the-line bleachers will provide guests with a comfortable, easily accessible view of the many events — such as athletics and commencement ceremonies — hosted here on the Hill.
Student Housing Renovations
In addition to general improvements, our residence halls will be renovated to meet the needs of today’s students, with spaces and finishes that support holistic well-being, community-building and growth within the residential environment. The college seeks to modernize the residence halls by renovating the rooms, student lounges, common areas, and restroom facilities.
Homecoming Week
Homecoming is more than just a week on the calendar — it’s a celebration of everything McDaniel stands for: community, tradition, and the shared experiences that connect generations of students and alumni. By supporting Homecoming, donors help preserve a legacy of pride while giving today’s students the opportunity to create memories they’ll carry for a lifetime.
Renovations to North Village Courtyard
These upgrades will breathe new life into North Village, creating an outdoor environment that balances relaxation, recreation, and connection. The redesigned courtyard will be a place where friendships grow, ideas are shared, and the McDaniel spirit shines brightest — a true reflection of campus life at its best.
Impact
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Creating a Vibrant Campus Community
Where Everyone Belongs
Whether alumni graduated when it was Western Maryland College or McDaniel College, one thing remains true: When asked what they loved about their experience on the Hill, the top answer is always “the people.” That strong sense of community is the beauty of a small, independent liberal arts school.
From the first step on the Hill through graduation and beyond, as our Alma Mater says, “College ties can ne’er be broken.” Through the Reaching New Heights campaign, we will provide targeted opportunities to ensure that every student has the resources they need to flourish.
Strengthen the Spirit That Makes McDaniel Home
Your support builds a vibrant campus where every student feels connected, valued, and inspired to thrive.