Bridgewater College to rededicate newly-renovated Bowman Hall in Friday evening ceremony

Bridgewater College will rededicate its newly-renovated Bowman Hall on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, as part of 2024 Homecoming festivities.

The ceremony will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. after tours of the building.

Recently reopened after a $8.5 million renovation, Bowman Hall now features modern classrooms with flexible furnishings and upgraded technology to support a full range of teaching styles and engaged learning.

Many donors have contributed in the last few years to make the renovation a reality. The project was funded, in part, by contributions from the late Dr. Garner H. Downey ’47 and his late wife, Mae Frances; a $250,000 challenge grant from The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation of Richmond; and members of the Classes of 1972, 1974 and 1975. Members of the Class of 1972 raised funds to name a Neuroscience Lab, the Class of 1974 raised funds to name a new Digital Media Lab and the Class of 1975 is fundraising to name the third-floor wing of the building.

“We are deeply grateful for the generous philanthropic support to renovate Bowman Hall into the dynamic engaged learning space it is today. The investment from our alumni and friends will transform the student experience now and for generations to come,” said Vice President for Institutional Advancement Meg Flory Riner. “It is particularly special to have the building opening timed with the public phase of Connections: The Campaign for Bridgewater College so our donors can see in real time the impact of their support.”

Bowman Hall is home to seven undergraduate programs and three graduate programs. Nearly every student takes at least one class in Bowman Hall during their time at Bridgewater, and many students take most of their classes in the building.

The renovation began in 2023 and finished just before classes began for fall semester. Bowman Hall opened its doors in 1953.

Founded in 1880, Bridgewater College is a private, four-year liberal arts college in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Bridgewater College is home to approximately 1,450 students pursuing degrees in more than 60 undergraduate majors and minors and four graduate programs housed within three distinct schools.