An elegant entry from Duffy Boulevard into the gardens, the Smith Alumni Gateway connects academic and natural spaces. Framed by hydrangeas, this passage invites reflection and reinforces the lifelong bond between alumni and Darden.
Dedication forthcoming — A Council Ring traditionally serves as a gathering place for meetings, discussions, and communal events. Symbolically circular, it represents equality and unity among participants. The Council Ring is surrounded by native Witch Hazel trees, which bloom during late fall and winter when most other plants are dormant. The presence of Witch Hazel signifies resilience and endurance, as its bright yellow or orange blossoms offer a burst of color and life during the colder months. These blossoms symbolize hope, transformation, and the cyclical nature of life.
Gift of the Darden Class of 1987 — Dedicated to the Darden professors who changed our lives.
Gift of The Altec/Styslinger Foundation — A communal space outside of The Forum Hotel.
The Pond is a serene centerpiece of the Tahija Arboretum & LaCross Botanical Gardens, offering a reflective space where visitors can pause and take in the surrounding beauty. Designed to support biodiversity and complement the arboretum’s stormwater management system, the pond is both a habitat for native wildlife and a model of sustainable design. Framed by a rich palette of plantings and adjacent walking trails, the pond enhances the sensory experience of the gardens while underscoring Darden’s commitment to environmental stewardship and regenerative landscapes.
Gift of David M. LaCross (MBA’78) & Kathleen LaCross — A preeminent business leader and entrepreneur, Dave spent 10 years at Bank of America, where he undertook executive assignments around the world. He founded Risk Management Technologies (RMT) and pioneered the development of enterprise-wide interest and risk management software for large financial institutions. RMT was later acquired by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). In 2014 he and his son Michael founded Morgan Territory Brewing in Tracy, California.
Gift of George S. Tahija (MBA ’86) & Laurel Claire Tahija — George S. Tahija is among Darden's most highly engaged international alumni. He has served as honorary chair of Darden’s Powered by Purpose capital campaign, on Darden's Global Advisory Council and on the Darden Board of Trustees. In 2021 he was the first international recipient of the Charles C. Abbott Award. Darden's highest honor bestowed upon alumni.
The Forum Hotel’s thoughtfully appointed guest rooms support Darden’s mission of lifelong learning by offering comfort and convenience to students, alumni, faculty and executive participants. These rooms are where visiting professionals rest between sessions, where lifelong learners begin and end their days, and where global guests experience Darden’s world-class hospitality. A room dedication is a lasting tribute, symbolizing your commitment to advancing education, community and leadership — one stay at a time.
188 AVAILABLE
The Forum Hotel’s executive suites offer a refined, residential-style experience that blends comfort and elegance with the spirit of hospitality at the heart of the Darden community. Each suite provides a welcoming space for distinguished guests, speakers, alumni and executive participants, often serving as a home base for reflection, preparation and connection during visits. Naming a suite offers a meaningful opportunity to leave a lasting legacy within a space that hosts influential conversations and transformational moments.
There are 4 available.
Nestled within the residential corridors of The Forum Hotel, each Alcove Lounge offers a quiet retreat for reflection, connection or casual conversation. These intimate spaces foster moments of rest and camaraderie for students, alumni and executive guests alike — between sessions, after travel or during a pause in a full day of learning. Naming an Alcove Lounge is an opportunity to create a welcoming space that supports the human side of transformational learning — rest, renewal and meaningful interaction.
6 AVAILABLE
