THE SEARLE CENTER is a modern renovation and expansion of the former student dining hall. Adjoining the Dow Hotel and Conference Center, the Searle Center, with its dining hall and auditorium, is the primary location for the College’s renowned seminars, Distinguished Visiting Fellows Lecture Series, and numerous campus events. Opened in 2015, the Searle Center’s attractive portico borders West Street and opens into the spacious lobby. The two-level facility provides an additional 20,850 square feet of space to the dining area, with ample seating for 800 dinner guests. Other features include an area dedicated to staff offices, as well as an escalator, elevator, and upgraded stairwells. The Searle Center’s exterior design complements the campus architecture, featuring a new raised roof, cupola, and brick façade.