The Main Lounge is a large indoor piazza that will be a hub of activity where people come and go, with ample space for socializing, studying, and relaxing. It is the central point of access for the café, the cultural resource centers, the game area, a large event space, and multiple meeting rooms and gathering spots.

Main Lounge

A large open brightly lit space with people walking around and talking

Central Stairs

A large stairway with people walking around the spaces around that space

Inspired by the Spanish Steps in Rome, the Central Stairs provide a dramatic grand boulevard linking the outdoor areas of the Quad and the Greenway, with seating on either side and an adjacent elevator. The new crossroads between upper and lower campus, this area encourages chance encounters and casual chats.

Alumni Pub

People sitting and drinking in a pub

The Alumni Pub in the new Student Center & Dining Commons at Amherst College

An exterior of the new dining commons building surrounded by trees

If you would like to support the Alumni Pub in the new Student Center & Dining Commons with a leadership gift, please contact us at specialinitiatives@amherst.edu.

People sitting and drinking in a pub

The new Student Center & Dining Commons will transform the Amherst experience for generations of students—and alumni, who can enjoy the building at Reunion, Homecoming, and any time they visit campus.

Students are just a step away from becoming alumni themselves. With support from the alumni community, the pub will be named the “Alumni Pub” to celebrate the deep commitment of alumni to students and the College’s appreciation of our alumni.

The Alumni Pub will serve as the physical and symbolic centerpiece of the alumni body’s ongoing relationship with the College, a connection that goes well beyond commencement.

Space matters, and the Alumni Pub will be a meaningful space for alumni and soon-to-be alumni.

A much-needed addition to campus, the Alumni Pub will embrace and welcome alumni in a prominent location in the Student Center & Dining Commons, and provide a venue for both alumni and students to gather. Located on the first floor, it will become a memorable place for conversation, enjoyment, and relaxation.

Camaraderie, friendship, and mentorship between alumni and students will be encouraged through the launch of a Purple Chip initiative where alumni can treat students to a beverage or snack as a way to “pay it forward” to the next generation.

Event & Banquet Space

A rendering of an event space with green curtains and a seating area

The Event & Banquet Space will feature a wall of glass facing the Greenway, with doors opening up to a patio. Ideal for special events, this flexible area will have the capacity to seat more guests than the existing spaces in Valentine can accommodate.

Lounge & Outdoor Terrace

A rendering of a darkly lit lounge area with large windows looking out over hills

A Lounge & Outdoor Terrace will offer a comfortable, homey place to relax and visit with friends. This lounge will feature a fireplace, a large-screen TV, and a spectacular view of the Holyoke Range and the Pelham Hills.