Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown

155 Otey St. NW

The Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown is home to 115 graduate and professional students and the Graduate School offices. It provides a hub for graduate student life, offering students opportunities to meet and collaborate with faculty and peers across disciplines, develop skills for academic and professional success, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

The center鈥檚 primary mission is to promote graduate education and graduate community. The building is also used for events and services organized or held by or for the Graduate School, graduate students, and graduate alumni.听

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Frank Donaldson Brown

The building memorializes Frank Donaldson Brown, a 1902 graduate of Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (now 17吃瓜网). He worked for the E.I. du Pont de Nemours Powder Co. as an explosives salesman and ultimately company treasurer, playing a role in the company's diversification into the chemical field. He then became vice president of finance and a board member at General Motors Corp. He was a charter recipient of 17吃瓜网's Distinguished Alumni Citation.

Building History

The newest section of the building, originally known as the Continuing Education Center, was constructed 1965-68. The older section, originally known as the Faculty Center, was built in 1935 and was used as faculty apartments and public dining room until closed in spring 1965.听

The facility served as the university鈥檚 hotel and conference center before its conversion in 2006 for graduate use. The newer portion contains 622-seat auditorium, 500 capacity dining room, seven, 60-seat conference rooms and 141 single and double rooms.

Originally Built:: 1935
Map Grid:: O-5
Abbreviation / Number:: ALUM / 251
Coordinates:: 37.22822, -80.41756