Lead Donor Announced for Reimagined UVA Alumni Hall

Charlottesville, Virginia—With the support of a lead donor, the University of Virginia Alumni Association is preparing to break ground on a reimagined Alumni Hall—an elegant and adaptable new space designed to serve the University’s 270,000 living alumni, honor longstanding traditions, and foster lifelong connections.

The 50,000-square-foot project recently received a transformational naming gift from the Aggarwal Family. Alumni Hall will reopen as Aggarwal Hall in recognition of their generosity. Reggie Aggarwal (Commerce ’91) is the Founder and CEO of Cvent, a global leader in events and hospitality technology. He has been broadly recognized for his leadership and innovation in the technology community. His family’s gift is the largest in the Alumni Association’s 190-year history.

Aggarwal has maintained close ties with the UVA community, including as a guest lecturer at the University and most recently as the keynote speaker at the Alumni Association’s Entrepreneurship Summit, where he reflected on how lessons learned at UVA have shaped his journey. He lives in McLean, Virginia, with his wife, Dharini, and their three children—one of whom is a current UVA student.

“My experiences at UVA and McIntire helped lay the foundation for my entrepreneurial career,” said Aggarwal. “As a student, I saw firsthand how the simple act of bringing people together can unlock opportunity, spark meaningful relationships, and leave a lasting impact. What excites me most is that in an increasingly digital world, the new building will be a powerful connector and a gathering place where countless Hoos can meet face to face to renew lifelong bonds and forge new ones.” Aggarwal continued to say, “To me, the Alumni Association and this project embody the enduring value of the UVA experience—connection, community, and impact well beyond Grounds.”

The new Aggarwal Hall will be built on the same site as the existing Alumni Hall with easy access to Grounds. “The design blends a traditional exterior inspired by Pavilion IX and a modern interior that will enable our work for generations to come,” said Lily West (Darden class of ’12), Alumni Association president and CEO. The $63 million building features large flexible event spaces, a café, an open atrium, outdoor terraces, a library, and ample parking. The building will also be ADA accessible and LEED certified.

“After four years of planning and design, we’re confident that this new building will serve the University’s vast and vibrant alumni base and broader Charlottesville community. We hope it is viewed as a welcoming home for alumni and visitors of all ages.”

Demolition of the current building, home to the Alumni Association since 1936, is scheduled to begin the first week of September. The groundbreaking ceremony will be Friday, September 19th, and include past and present members of the Alumni Association Board of Managers, University leaders, alumni leaders, and project donors.

“The new space will be a home worthy of our alumni, with a design that echoes the best of the University,” said Thomas Hall (College ’02, Law ’06), chair of the Alumni Association’s Board of Managers and a donor to the project. “I hope it will be the first stop for Hoos returning to Grounds and that it will become the canvas on which future generations can paint their own special memories of UVA.”

Construction is expected to take 18 months, with the new building opening in spring 2027. Hourigan Group, the contractor, has completed numerous projects on and around Grounds, including the Karsh Institute of Democracy and Contemplative Commons. The principal architect is Beth Hedde (Architecture ’05) of Centerbrook Architects & Planners.

To learn more about A Home for Every Hoo, please visit: uvaalumni.org/new-home

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The University of Virginia Alumni Association
211 Emmet Street
P.O. Box 400314
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
(434) 243-9000
homeforeveryhoo@virginia.edu