The event featured the signing of the last roof truss of what will be called Glory Residence Hall, and was attended by members of the Davis & Elkins College Cabinet, trustees, faculty, staff and student ambassadors.

Davis & Elkins President Chris Wood said the signing was a great way to leave messages for future Senators and to keep the institution growing.

“D&E is literally building for the future here,” Wood said during Tuesday’s event. “This is our opportunity to keep our facilities modern and what students are looking for, and at the same time to send out the message that the best days for this institution still lie ahead.”

Now that the roof truss has been signed, it will be hoisted into place as part of the roofing process, set to begin this week. Davis & Elkins officials hope to have the residence hall completed by August, in time for the Fall 2024 semester.

Davis & Elkins College President Chris Wood takes part in a ‘beam signing’ ceremony for Glory Residence Hall on the D&E campus.

Glory Hall is the chosen name for Davis & Elkins College’s newest residential facility, that will stand alongside Roxanna Booth and Gribble Halls as part of the newly established Freshman Village. As an institution originally founded and proudly affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), this new name affirms the college’s faith-based heritage.

Inspiration for Glory Hall comes from alumna and gracious donor, Kathy (Dunbar) Ramsdell, 1974 magna cum laude graduate, who received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Her generous $5 million gift to her alma mater provides substantial funding for the construction of Glory Hall, and includes the naming rights.

Ramsdell’s father founded Dunbar Armored. Following Mr. Dunbar’s death, Ramsdell decided to donate a portion of her inheritance from her father’s estate to D&E, providing the college with needed financial support for the “Creating Home: It Takes a Village” campaign to construct D&E’s Freshmen Village.