Shonda Rhimes is rewriting the script again, this time off-screen. The powerhouse behind Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and Bridgerton just became the first Black woman to have a building named in her honor at Dartmouth College.
Rhimes, a 1991 Dartmouth alum, is pledging $15 million to support the school’s new housing vision. Her generosity will bring to life Shonda Rhimes Hall, a five-story residence hall set to open in 2028. The building will house 115 juniors and seniors in apartment-style suites and be a vibrant hub for creativity, wellness, and community.
In true Shonda fashion, she didn’t just sign the check; she rolled up her sleeves and worked with architects to help shape the vision. From soundproof creative spaces for music and podcasts to a cozy community living room with a grand piano (her idea), the hall is designed to spark unplanned connections and big ideas.
For Rhimes, the gift is deeply personal. “It’s an opportunity to show how formative my college experience was for me. It’s also really beautiful to be able to place some legacy on the building—to give back what was given to me and to leave something behind,” she said.
She hadn’t realized the history she was making until after the fact. “My first thought was: Dartmouth wasn’t made in my image, but it is possible to remake it to include my image. There has been a continual making and remaking of who Dartmouth is for and who belongs here. I think philanthropy can set an example and open doors for other people to see what’s possible.”
This move also comes at a critical time in higher education, where many are questioning its value. Rhimes made it clear: “At a time when it feels like people are questioning the value of higher education, it feels important to put my money back into higher education.”
President Sian Leah Beilock called the gift “pivotal for Dartmouth at this time,” adding, “We are honored that her name will grace this building and be a beacon of welcome to the generations of Dartmouth students who will write their own stories here with that same expansive sense of possibility.”
Rhimes knows firsthand how college shaped her path. She went from being a “very sheltered kid” to diving into theater with the Black Underground Theater and Arts Association, writing for The Dartmouth, and even taking drawing classes that pushed her boundaries. Her advice to today’s students? “One piece of advice I would give anybody entering Dartmouth is to try everything.”
When it opens in the fall of 2028, Shonda Rhimes Hall will be more than just another building. It’ll be a space where future changemakers, storytellers, and innovators can live, grow, and say they had a home where the Queen of Thursday Nights once walked. And just like her TV worlds, it’s bound to inspire us all to dream bigger.
Cover photo: Shonda Rhimes Becomes First Black Woman to Have Building Named in Her Honor at Dartmouth College/Photo credit: Shondaland