BSU Clubroom and Historical Exhibit

BSU Clubroom

BSU Clubroom and Historical Exhibit

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HONORING A DIVERSE HISTORY

The Black Student Union (BSU) Clubroom has been a welcoming space for students of all backgrounds on the Hill for more than 40 years. The space has recently undergone a major renovation so that it may remain a cornerstone of belonging at the college for generations to come.

This project goes beyond just creating a functional space; it’s about celebrating our rich history through a beautiful historical exhibit that honors the legacy of our institution and connects it to the vibrant future we’re building for our students.

We encourage all members of our community to visit the BSU Clubroom and Historical Exhibit to learn more about the legacy of the college’s students who broke the color barrier, the history of the Black Student Union and its role in welcoming students of all racial and cultural backgrounds, and the important advocacy work that has often been born in this space.

BSU Clubroom
This project goes beyond just creating a functional space; it’s about celebrating our rich history through a beautiful historical exhibit that honors the legacy of our institution and connects it to the vibrant future we’re building for our students. ”

Jonas Eshelman ’50: The Largest Gift in College History

Jonas Eshelman ’50: The Largest Gift in College History

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A MONUMENTAL DONATION

McDaniel College has announced the largest gift in college history along with the unveiling of the public phase of a $50 million comprehensive capital and operational campaign in support of McDaniel’s current strategic plan.

Both announcements were made during the college’s Founders Society Gala held on campus on Friday, Oct. 10. Nearly 200 members of the McDaniel community were in attendance, including trustees, alumni, and parents, as well as business and community partners.

A landmark estate gift of approximately $15 million from the late Jonas Eshelman ’50 marks the largest in the college’s history. It will be used to establish an endowment that will fund initiatives to enhance academic excellence and support the college’s unrestricted priorities. This includes a new Endowed Professorship in Computational Innovation and Emerging Technologies, made possible by a $2 million matching grant from the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund (MEIF), as well as upgrades to classrooms and lab spaces.

Eshelman, who died in 2023 at the age of 95, grew up in Hagerstown, Maryland, and served in the U.S. Navy before enrolling at what was then Western Maryland College, where he majored in Economics. He later moved to Baltimore, where he worked as a retail business manager and real estate investor, before retiring in West Palm Beach, Florida. He also was an avid landscape oil painter.

The Eshelman gift gives us tremendous momentum as we head into the public phase of our ‘Reaching New Heights’ campaign.”

McDaniel Board of Trustees Chair Bruce Preston '75, McDaniel President Julia Jasken, student Nicki James, and the Green Terror pose with an oversized check
This record-breaking gift will have a profound impact on the educational experience of our students. A portion of this gift has been designated to significantly focus on academic excellence — both now and into the future. It demonstrates what is possible when donors believe in the power of a McDaniel education. ”

PRESIDENT JULIA JASKEN

Gill Center Improvements

Invest in the Heart of Campus Athletics.

Gill Center is where competition, celebration, and connection come together. Your gift to upgrade the court, bleachers, and equipment enhances the experience for players, fans, and families — ensuring that every moment in Gill reflects McDaniel pride.

Support Gill Center Improvements

Gill Center Improvements

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While Gill Center and Gill Gymnasium have recently undergone renovations, keeping up with the facility’s multipurpose demands requires a few upgrades. 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.

Naming Opportunities

By supporting the upgrades to Gill Gymnasium, donors can strengthen campus-community connections and empower student athletes through a lasting contribution that will celebrate McDaniel pride for generations.

  • Basketball Court: $1,000,000
  • Bleachers: $500,000
  • Basketball Hoops: $40,000

Named funds may be established in honor or memory of a beloved family member, faculty member, classmate, or yourself — making it possible for every donor to leave a lasting legacy of learning.

Why it Matters

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Gill Center is not just for athletics—it’s a hub for major campus and community celebrations.

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New bleachers make the space more welcoming and inclusive for all spectators.
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Upgrades elevate the energy of game days and community events alike.
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Updated courts and equipment provide safer, higher-quality facilities for practice and competition.
START YOUR GIFT CONVERSATION
McDaniel mens basketball player running alongside an opposing team member.
McDaniel womens basketball players competing with a rival team in the court.
Gill Center basketball court ribbon cutting ceremony.
A men's basketball player making a slam-dunk.

The Rebecca L. Martin basketball court is by far my favorite spot on campus. I have made so many memories on this court with my teammates that I am forever grateful for. ”

Josh Sproul ’22

Student Housing Renovations

Help Make McDaniel Home for Every Student.

Your gift can transform everyday living spaces into communities of connection and growth. Whether you fund a community kitchen, help renovate a student lounge, or support whole-building upgrades, your generosity directly enhances the quality of life for McDaniel students.

Give to Student Housing Renovations

Student Housing Renovations

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McDaniel is more than a place to learn — it’s a place to live, grow, and build lifelong friendships. Our residence halls serve as the foundation of campus life, shaping the student experience far beyond the classroom. As we look to the future, we are committed to creating living spaces that support well-being, inclusion, and meaningful connection for every student who calls the Hill home.

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.

Why it Matters

These renovations are an investment in the student experience — one that will elevate campus life, strengthen community connections, and ensure that McDaniel continues to offer a safe, inclusive, and welcoming home for generations to come. By modernizing our residence halls, we create spaces where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

Renovations needed for key residential buildings include:

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Whole Building Restoration

$175,000/Residence Hall
Refreshing the entire building environment ensures that every student enjoys a welcoming, comfortable, and inspiring place to call home. Updated flooring, paint, lighting, and branding not only enhance the look and feel of each hall but also create a cohesive identity that reflects McDaniel’s commitment to student success and pride of place.
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Private Restrooms

$50,000-$100,000/Residence Hall
Upgrading to private or semi-private restrooms promotes personal comfort, safety, and accessibility for all students. These improvements are especially important as housing expectations evolve, ensuring that McDaniel’s residence halls remain competitive and supportive of students’ individual needs.
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Residence Hall Community Kitchen

$100,000/Residence Hall
Community kitchens give students a space to connect, cook together, and build friendships across classes and majors. These shared areas encourage independence and life skills while fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion—key elements of a vibrant residential experience.

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Student Lounges

$50,000/Residence Hall
Student lounges serve as the heart of residential life, where collaboration, relaxation, and community naturally occur. Modern furniture, refreshed finishes, and integrated technology transform these spaces into multifunctional hubs where students can study, socialize, and recharge in a comfortable, engaging environment.

McDaniel College Moves to Develop New Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology

D'Jaris Coles-White

McDaniel College Moves to Develop New Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology

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EXPANDING GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

McDaniel College is continuing to grow its graduate programs, while expanding the college’s academic offerings in health care, with the development of a new Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

The program has received approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and is expected to launch in spring 2027, pending approval by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

D’Jaris Coles-White, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathology researcher and practitioner, has joined McDaniel to serve as the inaugural program director.

Currently a member of the Board of Ethics for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and past president of the Michigan Speech Language Hearing Association, she was appointed by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the Michigan Board of Speech-Language Pathology from 2021–2024. Coles-White holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Columbia College in South Carolina, Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Ph.D. in Communication Disorders from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“I am excited to welcome D’Jaris Coles-White to McDaniel and have her valuable expertise in helping to develop and finalize our new speech-language pathology program,” said Vickie Mazer, dean of Graduate and Professional Studies. “This new program will be the fourth in Maryland and only the second program of its kind at a private institution in the state to prepare students for entry level into the profession. It aligns with the college’s strategic plan by addressing the regional and statewide need for speech-language pathologists, particularly in K-12 schools.”

The Speech-Language Pathology program will be campus-based with some courses available in a hybrid format in the second year, similar to the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, to allow for flexible scheduling during the required clinical externship placement experiences.

D'Jaris Coles-White
I am genuinely excited for the opportunity to shape McDaniel’s new Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. I believe my rich background in both higher education and clinical practice will be beneficial in this new role and am eager to contribute to the program’s growth and success. ”

D’JARIS COLES-WHITE, DIRECTOR OF M.S IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY