The Building Project

The Davis Center traces its roots to the spring of 1988, when the student-led Coalition Against Racist Education (CARE) took over Jenness House, the temporary home of the Dean of the College. Among students’ demands was a multicultural center, which opened a year later in the building students had occupied. In time the center expanded into Rice and Hardy houses, and, in 2012, the complex was renamed the Davis Center in honor of W. Allison Davis ’24 and John A. Davis ’33.

The physical spaces haven’t changed much over the years; in fact, they require significant renovation and refurbishing. Yet the Davis Center remains a busy, inclusive hub of activity supporting many different communities within the larger Williams family.

The new Davis Center will offer students a modern space to feel safe and be comfortable—a place to connect with DC staff and Community Engagement Fellows, cook a group meal, watch a movie, or plan for and host campus awareness campaigns, lectures, conversations, film series, and more. Built for current and future needs, the Davis Center buildings will nurture education, activism, community building, well-being and celebration.

We will bring students, faculty, and staff together in a dedicated space that symbolizes the college’s commitment to and progress toward a fully inclusive community.