Morgan State University, a historically black university and Maryland’s Preeminent Urban Public Research University, has recently undertaken a strategic plan with a primary goal of increasing recruitment and improving retention of students on campus. A critical component of this plan’s progress is the creation of a new, world-class student residence hall and dining facility. Thurgood Marshall Hall provides a mix of semi-suite and apartment-style housing including more than 660 beds for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as a 40,000 SF dining facility. Both the University and the design team are focused on enhancing student success with the creation of a vibrant new live/learn community that will “bring Morgan students home,” while enhancing the University’s south campus presence with graphics and branding elements.

Designed in partnership between HCM and Moody Nolan, the building forms a new campus hub for student activity and strives to enliven the culture of community by creating a vibrant and robust space for gathering.  The residence hall, inclusive of 24-hour dining and carefully cultivated individual and group study areas, forms a “live, dine, learn” nexus for students.

Additionally, the project honors and pays tribute to Baltimore-native, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Thurgood Marshall, through exhibits to his legacy that are woven into the design of the building.