Shonda Rhimes is making history and helping change the narrative of her alma mater, Dartmouth College, by building a new dormitory on the campus.

The entertainment titan has always been proud of attending the higher education institution that provided her with the fundamental tools that led her to eventually become a groundbreaking TV screenwriter, producer and director. In 2014, the Dartmouth Entrepreneurs Hall of Famer returned as the keynote speaker to deliver an astounding commencement speech that went viral.

Two years ago, Rhimes was elected to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees, providing the opportunity to make a genuine impact for those behind her. According to a recent article published by the school, the entrepreneur has pledged a donation of $15 million to help President Sian Leah Beilock’s housing initiative—which aims to renovate older residences, add 1,000 beds in new residence halls for students and faculty members and assist with affordability.

“It’s an opportunity to show how formative my college experience was for me. It’s also really beautiful to be able to place some legacy on the building—to give back what was given to me and to leave something behind,” Rhimes said about her contribution. “And at a time when it feels like people are questioning the value of higher education, it feels important to put my money back into higher education.”

How is Shonda Rhimes’ $50M donation reshaping Dartmouth’s housing?

Rhimes’ gift, which was two years in the making, brings the total amount of money Beilock has raised to $82.5 million, almost reaching the $95 million goal. Shonda Rhimes Hall will accommodate 115 junior and senior students in a modern apartment-like option on West Wheelock Street, where another new student housing building is already underway. The majority of the units will feature four bedrooms, complete with kitchens, bathrooms and a shared living area. Demolition is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with the doors set to open in Fall 2028.

“This extraordinary gift is pivotal for Dartmouth at this time,” Beilock expressed. “It will directly enhance the student experience while reimagining a key part of campus. I’m grateful to Shonda, who has made a career of creating inclusive worlds where any one of us can be the protagonist of the story. We are honored that her name will grace this building and be a beacon of welcome to the generations of Dartmouth students who will write their own stories here with that same expansive sense of possibility.”

In addition to making the largest donation in the school’s history, she’s also the first woman and Black alum to have a building named in their honor. 

“My first thought was: Dartmouth wasn’t made in my image, but it is possible to remake it to include my image,” Rhimes said about setting a new milestone. “There has been a continual making and remaking of who Dartmouth is for and who belongs here. I think philanthropy can set an example and open doors for other people to see what’s possible.”

Why juniors and seniors need a different kind of campus home

Dortmouth’s senior VP for operations Josh Keniston explained that a community built just for upperclassmen will be beneficial because scholars’ mindsets are different than when they’re just starting their educational journey.

“The ultimate goal is to have the first two years be more dorm-style, with students developing a place-based connection within the house system,” Keniston said. “In your junior and senior year, you can still maintain an affiliation with a house, but it’s less place-based. You can choose whom to live with. You can cook your own meals or eat in the dining hall. You’re getting ready to be out in the world as an adult.”

This perspective is something that the Grey’s Anatomy creator agrees with, as she has lived the experience and would’ve enjoyed an elevated housing option similar to post-college life.  

“For me, the person I was when I came in as a freshman is completely different from the person I was as a junior,” Rhimes mentioned. “In the beginning you’re finding your way. By your junior year, you’re pursuing the goals that are going to work for you after you graduate. So I think a different kind of housing is necessary.”

What can students who live in Shonda Rhimes Hall expect?

The new building incorporates student feedback from surveys and roundtables, and Rhimes has been directly involved with architects to ensure it’s not just attractive but meaningful. Focused on community, creativity and wellness through design, the ground floor will serve as the centerpiece with a living room inspired by beloved campus spots like Top of the Hop. This particular space will provide cozy, adaptable seating for a 400-student neighborhood to mingle, connect and cultivate a sense of community. One of the author’s ideas was to add a grand piano as well.

Furthermore, a dedicated studio provides students with space for meditation, yoga, or light cardio. Cyclists get on-site repair and secure indoor storage plus seasonal ski storage for winter. And for creators, a mix of soundproof rooms makes it easy to practice, record a podcast, or lock in on projects without any distractions. 

“The way that President Beilock is looking at housing for the future is going to fundamentally change how people exist on campus,” Rhimes shared. “It’s expanding housing that embraces the maturity of our students and recognizes the value of our faculty and our graduate students. It also provides more ways to engage in community. When everybody can have a home on campus, the campus starts to feel more like home.”