Academic Facilities

The Adrian College Medical Clinic (2017) provides on campus medical support for students and the surrounding community.  This venue houses ProMedica physician offices, exam rooms, faculty offices, an academic conference room, x-ray facilities and a nurse lab.  The Medical Clinic was designed to offer real-world experience for students who wish to pursue careers in the medical field

Baby Bulldog Center (2015) is a state-licensed and Great Start to Quality 5-star rated infant and toddler room, and a preschool room for faculty, staff and students, along with community members and is affiliated with the Teacher Education Department.  Additionally, it serves as a site for early childhood education, psychology, and social work student learning and experience.

Downs Hall (1860, renovated 2014) houses the Theatre and Dance Department, and the Downs Theatre. The only building remaining from Adrian’s original campus, Downs is a Michigan historic site. The building, which formerly served as the College chapel, is named for Jordan Downs of Ohio, who contributed to its construction.

The Goldsmith Center (1965, renovated 2008) houses the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures. The building was a gift of the family and friends of Allen L. Goldsmith, a distinguished industrialist and College trustee.

The Prielipp Greenhouse (1980, renovated 2014) is attached to Peelle Hall, and serves as an opportunity for classes and research in botany and biology.  It includes a hydroponic garden.  The original greenhouse was funded through the generosity of the Earl-Beth Foundation.

Jones Hall (1965, renovated 2014) houses a computer laboratory, classrooms and many departments including History, Political Science, Accountancy, Business Administration and Economics, and Geology.  It also includes the Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies.  The facility includes the 100-seat Charles and Shirley Baer Lecture Hall, and the Jane McCloskey Academic Services Office.   Jones Hall is named in honor and memory of Dr. Elmer M. Jones, a distinguished professor of chemistry from 1907-1940.

Mahan Hall (1965, renovated 2022) houses the Department of Art and Design and Hickman Gallery.  Mahan Hall is named for first President Asa Mahan who served from 1859-65, and again from 1867-71.  It houses a new Mac Lab used for a variety of classes. Also, the Adrian Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra in residence and its administrative offices are housed in Mahan Hall. 

The Merillat Sport & Fitness Center (1990, addition 2015) provides educational, recreational and fitness facilities for all Adrian College students, faculty members and staff.   The main 80,000 square-foot complex includes a multi-sport forum for general recreational use with courts for basketball, volleyball and tennis, surrounded by a one-tenth mile indoor track. The

Duffy Family Fitness Center was added in 2015 to accommodate greater access to cardiovascular and weight training equipment, as well as training space for all teams.  The center also contains one racquetball court, an athletic training treatment facility, classrooms, a human performance laboratory, graduate athletic training academic laboratory, a dance studio, as well as a performance gymnasium which seats 1,300 persons and serves as home to the Bulldog basketball and volleyball teams. Offices of the Exercise Science and Athletic Training Department faculty and Athletic Department coaches and administrators are also contained in the building.  A 17,000 square foot addition houses a state-of-the-art work out and conditioning space open to all members of the AC community. The Merillat Center is named for Orville and Ruth Merillat, civic and business leaders in the community of Adrian. 

Rush Hall (1957, renovated 2008) bears the name of Dr. W. Albert Rush, alumnus and former dean of the College. The facility is the home of the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences. The building offers students opportunities to mesh technology with the courses they take and includes a MAC lab and AC’s own WVAC radio station.

Peele Hall (1960, renovated 2014) contains laboratories and classrooms for the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics.  It includes a new 16,000 square-foot addition and the 85-seat Wolf lecture hall (2010) and Bosio Math Lab (2006) are located here.  It also includes the Romney Institute for Law and Public Policy.  The building is named after esteemed biology Professor Miles Peelle. 

Robinson Observatory (1962) in Peelle Hall contains a six- inch telescope for the study of astronomy. It is named in honor of Herbert Robinson, a local industrialist and benefactor of the College.

Robinson Planetarium (1966, renovated 2011) in Peelle Hall is equipped with an SLI projector and seating for 66 persons. It also was a gift of Herbert Robinson.

Shipman Library (1963, renovated and expanded 2000) includes a complete line of academic information services. The renovated building is a large, attractive space with accommodations for individual and group study as well as leisure reading. It is named in memory of Dorothy Middlebrook Shipman, a distinguished library director and friend to Adrian College students. The collection numbers more than 125,000 printed volumes and 200,000 e-books.   Over 100 research databases are available, many with full text.  The media collection includes more than 70,000 streaming audio and video recordings.   The library web page (https://shipmanlibrary.stacksdiscovery.com/) provides on-site and remote access to the collection. The library reference area contains 37 computers available for research, and the building also houses the eSports facility.  Shipman’s interlibrary loan service allows students to borrow books, articles and other materials from college and university libraries nationwide. Two notable special collections are held at Shipman Library: the Piotrowski-Lemke Lincoln Collection and the Detroit Conference Methodist Historical Collection. The library is open to all members of campus, and the local community. 

Spencer Music Hall (1974, renovated 2010) honors Dr. James H. Spencer, composer and director of music at the College for 44 years. The building adjoins Dawson Auditorium and includes a large rehearsal hall, music libraries, practice rooms, and instrument storage areas. The recent renovation by Dr. Spencer’s daughter, Dr. Hildreth Spencer provides the music department a space to continue its outstanding work.

Valade Hall (1971, renovated 2007) was formerly North Hall and was rededicated in 2007 in honor of Gary and Margaret Valade. This hall is home to the departments of English Studies and Journalism, Leadership, Philosophy, Religion, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Teacher Education. It also includes the Richards Meditation Chapel, the Chaplain’s Office, the Education Curriculum Center, Knight Auditorium (renovated 2008), and the Institutes for Study Abroad, Ethics and Education.  The third floor is named MacNaughton Floor, honoring former psychology professor Dr. Norman MacNaughton and Dr. Douglas MacNaughton, his son, alumnus and professor emeritus in philosophy and religion. The facility was built on the site of Old North Hall and the North Hall Annex, which housed Union troops during the Civil War and occupied the location for more than 100 years.

Walden West Property (2016) is a 119-acre environmental preserve and research site featuring diverse wetland, forest, and grassland habitats.  The land is part of a gift from Jim and Mary White, and is being used for teaching and student and faculty research by the Geology, Environmental Science, and Biology programs.