Ohio University to celebrate the opening of Roderick J. McDavis Hall on Sept. 25

Ohio University will celebrate the grand opening of Roderick J. McDavis Hall from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, at the new residence hall, located at 6 Nelson Drive in Athens.

Hosted by the Office of the President, in coordination with the Division of Student Life, the ceremony will bring together University leadership, campus partners, project stakeholders, alumni, community members and special guests to mark the completion of the new residential community and recognize the legacy of its namesake, President Emeritus Roderick J. McDavis.

During the celebration, guests will have the opportunity to tour the new hall that more than 500 students now call home. 

The opening of McDavis Hall represents a significant investment in OHIO’s residential experience, providing a new living community designed to support student life, connection and belonging. The ceremony will recognize the vision, collaboration and work that brought the project from planning and construction to completion, while looking toward the role the residence hall will play in the future of the student experience.

McDavis Hall is the largest residence hall on campus, with 591 beds. Located on South Green, it was designed to provide an elevated living experience that meets students’ evolving needs while fostering connection and a strong sense of belonging.

The Ohio University Board of Trustees approved construction of McDavis Hall in April 2024 as part of the University’s Housing Master Plan. Construction began later that year, marking a significant step in the University’s efforts to modernize and expand its residential facilities. 

The building honors the legacy of President Emeritus McDavis, who began his tenure as Ohio University’s first African American president and was only the second alumnus to lead the institution in its then 211-year history. During his 13 years as president, McDavis championed initiatives that helped reshape the University’s approach to education, student success and community engagement.

Last September, the University honored McDavis’ legacy with a cornerstone event celebrating the lasting impact he and former First Lady Deborah McDavis have made on the University community.