Campus Growth
at Meredith College
Meredith College has seen numerous facility improvements on campus through the years. These changes enable students, faculty, and staff to learn, conduct research, and stay physically active.
Building new construction, renovating existing spaces, and making refurbishments are an integral part of the strategic plan of the College. The goals of the plan are fundamental to the well-being of the College, and they build on the strengths Meredith already possesses: educational excellence and relevance, a reputation for quality, a collaborative and supportive environment, a beautiful campus and culture that supports learning, and the power to endure.
A number of spaces have been renovated because alumnae and friends gave to areas that hold a special meaning to them.
New Facilities
AFTER
BEFORE
The new Estes-Speight Family Athletic Center was made possible by Chris Speight Brown, ’76, along with her siblings Elizabeth Speight Cooley and Bobby Speight, Jr., who made a $1 million lead gift to name the center in memory of their mother, Mary Estes Speight, ’53, and their father, Bobby Speight, NC State All-American basketball player.
The new athletic building includes two large indoor batting cages, a golf simulator, locker rooms, a student-athlete lounge, and public restrooms. The building is adjacent to the softball field and tennis courts. Brown also funded the Meredith College Athletics Hall of Fame, named for her daughter Lisa Brown De Armas, ’03. The Hall of Fame is housed in the Cate Student Center.
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We need your support to keep Meredith College athletics strong. If you are interested in contributing contact Eric Douglas, director of strategic giving for athletics, at
eddouglass@meredith.edu or (919) 760-8589 or give now.
Designate your gift to the “2023 Athletic Center” on the giving form.
A new academic facility was constructed near the Weatherspoon Gymnasium/Lowery Fitness Center providing new, cutting-edge instructional space for Meredith’s growing communication and health, exercise, & sport sciences programs. The building opened in August 2022.
The Health and Human Performance Lab is located in Meredith’s newly built Communication and Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences Building (CHESS), featuring cutting-edge equipment to prepare students for employment and graduate programs. The lab also helps support community members in their health and wellness goals.
Renovations
Belk Dining Hall renovations were completed in Summer 2025, thanks to funding from Aramark. The space has been reimagined with a modern design and more stations with a variety of menu options.
Meredith College began a renovation of Jones Auditorium in the summer of 2023. A lead gift from Lisa Robie Poole, ʼ86, and her husband, Ven Poole, allowed the College to complete phase one of the project, which includes new seating, new carpet, lighting, sound, a new elevator for accessibility, and general upgrades.
The Library and Learning Center underwent refurbishments during the 2022-23 academic year. The highlights were new furniture, new lighting, freshly painted walls along with a bathroom converted to being fully ADA-compliant.
The iconic Meredith Lake, that has been enjoyed by students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and visitors for decades, had a complete renovation in 2021 thanks to the generosity of our alumnae and friends at Meredith College.
Jones Chapel was built in 1982 and has undergone several improvement projects since 2020. The sanctuary, bridal suite, corridors, conference room, kitchen, and common room have been refurbished along with outside maintenance. A gift from the estate of Jeannette Scott, ’54, will provided these renovations to the Chapel.
A new turf field was installed on the Meredith Athletic Field and Track Complex in June 2019. This athletic enhancement improved safety for all Avenging Angels teams.
Weatherspoon Physical Education Building was completed in September 1970. The Parents and Families Fund started raising funds for a new fitness center in 2016. In 2017 the Oscar A. Keller, Jr. family gave a six-figure gift to support the renovations and name the dance studio the Oscar A. Keller, Jr. and Elderlene R. Keller Dance Studio. In 2017, a $1 million gift from Ann Lowery, ’74, named the new fitness center for her parents, Herman and Ruth Lowery. The expansion increased the size of the fitness center by 5,400 square feet and allowed for more group fitness opportunities, personalized training, new equipment, more dedicated staff, and longer operating hours.
Johnson Hall, our most iconic building, welcomes students, visitors, and alumnae to the College each day. Gifts from two generous donors allowed the College to make needed renovations in 2015-16. The enhancements to Johnson Hall created a better experience for prospective and current students and their families – giving them a clear directions to Admissions, Financial Assistance, the Registrar, and the Business Office.
StrengthsLab is a dedicated space that offers a variety of resources related to StrongPoints. In 2014, Wells Fargo Foundation donated $100,000; this gift, along with other donor gifts, were used to create this space for Meredith students.