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Benedictine opened its new Dugan Residential Hall with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and student homecoming the week of Nov 2, 2026.
Scott Evans, Executive Director, said during his comments before the ribbon cutting that the process for building the new hall to house student-residents began nearly 10 years ago with the start of a master plan to upgrade and modernize elements of the campus. The opening of Dugan Hall is the completion of the first phase of “a long term vision for our campus that was ultimately presented to our board of directors as a three phrase master plan.”
The building is reminiscent of dorms with one-person bedrooms, shared kitchen and living spaces, room for staff to work, and durability and safety elements to protect the students, all of whom have some degree of developmental and physical disability.
But the construction of the physical structure belies the true story. The heart and soul that went into the planning and construction. The project’s goal is to modernize the “home” for Benedictine students, and as the adage goes, “home is where the heart is.”
“It's a new home for our students and staff. And having this new home will help us to provide a more safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment for our students to thrive,” Shirley Blackston, Assistant Administrator of School Residential.
The hall is named for the family of Sister Mary Agnes Dugan, who has spent over 50 years in service to Benedictine. Dugan cut the ribbon, surrounded by some of the students and staff, and gave blessing to those in attendance, “I'm asking God's blessing to bless all of you, and it's great to see everybody again.”
Evans said it is fitting that the new building be named after Dugan, whose, “unwavering commitment to our students, particularly those in our school residential program (helped) shape Benedictine into the organization it is today.”
It seems everyone connected to the project understood the significance of the location of the hall on the campus. Caroline Bauerle, Chief Advancement Officer for Benedictine Advancement Office, commented on how a place that was sacred in housing the nuns is improved and reimagined to house the students who call Benedictine home.
Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary, Carol Beatty, was on hand representing Governor Wes Moore. Beatty visits Benedictine often and noted the organization’s uniqueness in serving students and adults. She praised leadership and the staff for continuing to provide education to the students through the building project.
“Dugan Residential Hall is more than a new building. It represents our commitment to the future, our responsibility to honor the legacy entrusted to us, and our continued dedication to providing an environment where students can learn, grow, thrive, and reach their greatest potential,” Evans said.
