Academic, Administration and Student Affairs Buildings

Anselm Hall (1956) houses Modern Languages and Classics faculty and administrative offices with classrooms on the second floor.

John W. Carpenter Hall (1956), the original classroom building, served the university faithfully for over sixty years, housing classrooms, the library, laboratories, and offices for faculty, staff and administration. It was decommissioned in the spring of 2018.

Lynch Hall (1956), named for Joseph Patrick Lynch, Bishop of the diocese from 1911-1954, was a multi-purpose amphitheatre-style lecture hall and the home of the Student Government Movie Series and other extracurricular concerts and lectures. It was torn down in February 2016 to make room for Cardinal Farrell Hall, whose ground-breaking took place in August 2016.

The Haggerty Art Village (1960, 2001) is a complex of five buildings situated in the trees on the northeast side of campus. The first building, designed by O’Neil Ford, was completed in 1960. Subsequent structures have been designed by Landry and Landry and Gary Cunningham. The complex includes instructional studios, galleries, classrooms and ample public spaces. It was completed in 2000-2001.

The Cowan-Blakley Memorial Library (1962) previously the William A. Blakley Library, was renamed and rededicated in 2016 in memory of Drs. Donald and Louise Cowan, and the former Senator William A. Blakley, all of whom had a significant impact on the history of the University. The Library provides access to over 320,000 volumes, more than 120 databases, and over 63,000 full-text publications online. The library is open more than 98 hours per week to serve university students, faculty, and staff. Reference services, including individual and group instruction, real-time chat, and SMS text services are available during select hours. Within the library, the Blakley Research and Information Center (BRIC) is a 20-station computer lab used for library instruction, and is available as an open lab all other times during regular operating hours. The library contains several group study rooms that are available for advanced booking. The library’s website, www.udallas.edu/library, contains the online catalog and electronic resources including online journals and e-books. Interlibrary loan services are available for requesting materials not owned by the library. The collections of materials for general reading, serious study, and research reflect the university’s interest and emphasis on academic excellence.

In 2001 the university established a History/Archives Center to begin preparing for its 50th anniversary in 2006. The Center is located in the lower level of the Cowan-Blakley Memorial Library and entered from the Haggar Circle area across from the Haggerty Art Village. It serves as both a mini-museum and archive. Collections of papers, photographs and audio-visual materials pertaining to the university have been and are being organized through staff and volunteer help and are available for in-person research. Consult the Library and Alumni websites for complete listings.

Catherine Hall (1965) is a split-use building, housing approximately 70 students and the Music Department.

The Gorman Lecture Center (1965) is named for the founding Bishop of the university, Thomas K. Gorman. Completed in 1965, it contains a variety of instructional areas and social spaces.

The Braniff Graduate Building (1966), a gift from the Blakley-Braniff Foundation in memory of the founder of Braniff International Airways, contains classrooms, seminar rooms and offices for the graduate faculty and administration and provides space for the collections of the University Library.

The Braniff Memorial Tower (1966), at the south end of the mall opposite the Braniff Graduate Building, rises 188 feet above the campus. The Tower is a memorial to Tom and Bess Braniff. It serves as a landmark and as a symbol of the university. The Braniff Tower houses four bronze bells, The Cowan Bells. A gift of the King Foundation, the bells are named in honor of Donald A. Cowan, president of the university (1962-1977) and Louise S. Cowan, professor of English, who designed the literary tradition sequence. Dr. Cowan named the bells. The "F" bell, the great bell, is named for St. Columba, who as priest and poet wedded the old tradition with the new in Ireland and whose voice is said to have "boomed from the mountains." St. Agatha, who, in her martyrdom, became the patroness of bells, carries the name of the "A" bell. The "C" bell is named for St. Catherine of Alexandria who, through clarity and beauty of speech, became the guide of the Christian philosopher. The smaller "F" bell, whose sound is heard above the others, is named for St. Andrew who proclaimed the splendor of the Word of God.

The Margaret Jonsson Theater and Courtyard (1972) housed a handsome 80-seat theater and scene shop. Using an older campus building, the renovations and extensions were made possible by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Erik Jonsson. The Margaret Jonsson Theater was closed in fall 2019.

The J. M. Haggar, Sr. University Center (1976), made possible through the Haggar Foundation and other bequests, is a handsome facility which includes the Haggar café, Rathskeller, bookstore, post office, Cap Bar, UD Police Department, the Student Leadership and Activities Center, Student Affairs and Government offices, Chaplain’s Office and Campus Ministry, Health Center, Visiting Professor Suite and meeting and reception rooms. This award-winning facility, dedicated in 1976, is located on the Braniff Mall.

The Patrick E. Haggerty Science Center (1985), a 60,000-square-foot teaching and research facility, completed in 1985, commemorates an outstanding industrialist and scientist and one of the university’s most dedicated trustees.

The Church of the Incarnation (1985), an exquisitely designed and crafted 500-seat church, was completed in 1985. In addition to the main worship space, the award-winning church includes the St. Thomas Aquinas Eucharistic Chapel.

The Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe (2015) was dedicated May 16, 2015. The result of an alumni drive, the larger than life-size bronze statue was sculpted by Jaime Dominguez, with the aid of Humberto DeGarrio. The peaceful shrine, located on a gently sloping hill close to the Art Department, affords a place for prayer and contemplation.

SB Hall (2016) is a university academic building that houses classrooms, meeting and social spaces and offices for the faculty and staff of the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business. The 46,000 square-foot state of the art three-story building is named for the company, SB International, which was started by the Guptas as they were finishing their MBA’s at the university. The twelve million dollar grant made possible both the building and the naming of the College of Business in their honor.

Cardinal Farrell Hall (2018) is a state-of-the-art student services and administration building which opened in January of 2018 and was dedicated on February 2, 2018. The building includes three classrooms and first floor storefronts that provide easy, one-stop access to financial aid, registration, student accounts, and student employment services. The second floor houses academic administration, and the third floor houses the President, Advancement and Development and administration offices. The building is named for Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, former bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas and university chancellor.