The sweeping renovation and expansion of Doane Hall, one of the most prominent and historic buildings on campus, positions Denison to be the first liberal arts college with a hub devoted to integrating data across the curriculum, and will further cement the college’s reputation as an innovator in the liberal arts.
Denison University will rename Doane Hall to Tina and Dale Knobel Hall in recognition of a lead gift from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation to support the building’s renovation, made in honor of President Emeritus Dale Knobel, who served the University from 1998 to 2013 and his wife, Tina Knobel.
The Sherman Fairchild Foundation’s generous investment continues its legacy of supporting Denison’s academic excellence and innovation. The foundation made this latest commitment as part of the fundraising effort to create a state-of-the-art home for data, technology, and innovation on Denison’s campus. Denisonians Wally Burke ’71 (also a Denison life trustee) and President Emeritus Knobel are members of the foundation.
A second lead gift from Emily Hauser King ’63 and Robert E. King will establish the Emily Hauser King and Robert E. King Center for Data and Innovation, a new addition that anchors the expanded facility. The building will house Denison’s computer science and data analytics departments and serve as a campus-wide resource for courses in applied mathematics, digital humanities, financial economics, and data for political research.
“This is a defining moment for Denison,” said President Adam Weinberg. “This will help propel Denison graduates into successful lives and careers. Every single profession that our students will go into will be impacted by technology, data, large datasets, and artificial intelligence. ”
Weinberg said the new center will empower Denison graduates to thrive in a world increasingly shaped by data while staying true to the liberal arts tradition that grounds their education.
“The liberal arts give the data sciences their heart, their soul, and their greatness,” he said. “Our students will not only master technical skills but also learn to ask the right questions, tell compelling stories, and lead with integrity.”
Scheduled for completion in August 2026, Knobel Hall and the King Center for Data and Innovation will serve as a visible symbol of Denison’s forward-looking approach — bridging the liberal arts with cutting-edge technology and preparing students to lead in fields yet to be imagined.
The history of Doane and its connection to Denison will be honored within Knobel Hall, and the original stone etching on the exterior of the building will be retained.
At the building’s groundbreaking in January 2025, Weinberg and Lee Sachs ’85, Denison trustee, noted that the funds already raised by donors once again underscore Denison’s deep and devoted network of alumni and friends.
“This structure will stand as a testament to the dedication, commitment, leadership, and philanthropy of some of the individuals gathered here today,” Sachs said. “And we are still not done. This is just the first milestone in our fundraising efforts.”