Amherst College receives $50M for new student center from alumnus Bill Ford

Amherst College has announced a $50 million gift from alumnus Bill Ford (’83), and his wife, Molly, to support the construction of a new student center and dining commons to serve as the new central gathering place for campus life. One of the largest gifts in school history, the Ford Student Center will also provide student organization space and flexible community areas to drive student interaction. Scheduled to open in fall 2026, the center is intended to strengthen student engagement, foster informal intellectual exchange, and reinforce Amherst’s liberal arts mission.