Biden Hall
Biden Hall honors one of the University’s most distinguished alumni and his belief that meaningful progress begins with bringing people together, creating a space where faculty, staff, students, and the community can gather.
Named for former President Joe Biden, the approximately 30,000-square-foot facility will be located on the South Green between Morris Library and Robinson Hall. It will be the new home of the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration.
Made possible through the generosity of donors and funding from the state of Delaware, the building will serve as an interdisciplinary social sciences hub, bringing scholars, practitioners, students, and community partners together for teaching, research, and public engagement.
Programming in Biden Hall will center on three themes aligned with UD’s mission and the ideals President Biden has championed through his career
Preparing the next generation of leaders
Advancing public service and civil discourse
Coordinating health research and support
On Monday, Nov. 9, President Biden and other distinguished guests joined the University of Delaware to break ground on Biden Hall.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Dr. Joseph Trainor, Dean, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration
Presentation of the Colors & National Anthem Remarks
Remarks
Dr. Laura Carlson, President of the University of Delaware
Joe Olesa, Biden School Student Association President
The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 46th President of the United States
Valerie Biden Owens
The Honorable Matt Meyer, Governor of Delaware
The Honorable Chris Coons, United States Senator for Delaware
Ceremonial Groundbreaking
Frequently Asked Questions
Biden Hall will play a key role in our commitment to continue advancing UD’s excellence and prominence in interdisciplinary social sciences by bringing together scholars, practitioners, students and community partners for teaching, research and public engagement. Biden Hall has long been part of UD’s capital plan and aligns with our commitment to Grow with Purpose. With funding from the state of Delaware and philanthropy now in place, we are eager and excited to proceed with this project.
The University is committed to thoughtful and strategic growth in our signature strengths, such as public policy, administration and interdisciplinary social sciences. Biden Hall will play a key role in building on our excellence in preparing tomorrow’s leaders, advancing public service and civil discourse, and coordinating health research and support. Biden Hall is the perfect fit for the final remaining space on UD’s historic Green.
No. The Joe and Jill Biden Foundation will determine the location of any future Biden presidential library.
Construction costs for Biden Hall will depend on its final design and other factors. The University is grateful to the state of Delaware for providing $20 million in the FY2026 capital budget toward the construction of Biden Hall. The remaining funds have been raised through the generosity of UD donors, including those who contributed to the Delaware First fundraising campaign.
No. The state of Delaware designated its funding for construction of Biden Hall, as did the donors who contributed to the project. The University raises funds throughout the year from alumni, faculty, staff and other donors that are used for scholarships, teaching, research, capital needs and other operations at UD.
The design phase began in fall 2026 and is expected to be completed in summer 2027. The building is tentatively slated to open in fall 2029.
Project labor agreement conversations are still underway. These conversations will help us maximize the use of Delaware and union workforces.
These decisions will be determined during the design phase.
Biden Hall is made possible through state support and the generosity of donors.