After 55 years of standing tall, Henry King Stanford Residential College is coming down. Following the tear down of Hecht Residential College, in the summer of 2022, phase one of Centennial Village is set to open this fall for incoming freshman where Hecht once stood. Phase two begins with the demolition of Stanford Residential College, with a projected opening fall 2026.
Stanford Residential College houses 960 students on 24 floors between the two towers, Walsh and Rosborough. Both towers are also home to some amazing residential faculty including Leslie and Marc Knecht, Melvin Butler, and Karoline Mortensen—all of which are heavily involved in the residential community and enjoy getting to know their fellow residents. Through decades of residential events catered to student success, these dorms have certainly made a mark and are a staple of the history of the University of Miami.
For decades of students, Stanford Residential College was where young adults resided for the academic year, but for the generations of student Residential Assistants (RA), Stanford was more than just a place to stay. Celeste Landry, a third year RA and four-time resident of the towers, reflects back on her time in Stanford and is grateful for all the community it has brought her. “Stanford has been a place that has allowed me to grow and given me the chance to create my own opportunities for leadership. The four walls of the tower bedrooms have been the only room I have known while in college and have taken me through four amazing years,” says Landry.
At the event, Stanford’s Last Stand, that took place on Tuesday, April 24, Stanford's history was honored through a trip down memory lane. Patricia A. Whitely, senior vice president for student affairs and alumni engagement, was spotlighted and honored with a plaque at the event, as she started her career in the Stanford Residential College community as Area Director from 1982-1987. She found her love for the University and continues to lead the division of student affairs in providing a transformational student experience.
Along with Whitely, fourth year Stanford Resident, Sam Carter, had a chance to speak about what SRC meant to him. "You see, this dormitory, with it's quirks and imperfections, has taught me a valuable lesson—that challenges, far from being obstacles, are opprotunities for growth. Living [at Stanford Residential College] has forced me out of my comfort zone, pushing me to adapt, to connect with others, and to find strength in the face of adversity," said Carter.
Although Stanford itself is being torn down, the traditions and spirit the community has created will live on. Whether you were a resident yourself or not, this momentous occasion allowed a place to honor the residential college and how it paved the way for the future of the University.
