Inside the Hahn Center
Exeter's newest hub for dining, community and connection.
By Sarah Pruitt '95
Winter 2026
AT EXETER, the Harkness philosophy extends beyond the classroom to all aspects of life on campus — including the essential act of eating. Sitting together at meals each day not only provides nourishment for students, faculty, staff and visitors; it also fosters engagement and builds a stronger sense of community for the school as a whole.
To support this core principle, the Academy devoted more than a year to the construction of a multifunctional dining hall on the north side of campus. Opened in December 2024 and officially named at a gala event this November, the Hahn Center creates myriad opportunities for connection, collaboration and learning.
Flanked by the newly refurbished Merrill and Langdell Halls, the Hahn Center replaced the well-loved but outdated Wetherell Dining Hall, which had served the Academy for 90 years. With its state-of-the-art kitchen, in-house bakery and expansive servery, the new building showcases the efforts of Exeter’s dining services team to meet the school’s diverse needs.
“Food is about community,” says Melinda Leonard, Exeter’s director of dining services. “The Hahn Center prioritizes that sense of community, while allowing us to operate more efficiently today, and evolve in the future.”
In addition to meeting daily dining needs, the Hahn Center has quickly become a vital space for programming and events on campus. Students have used the center for special occasions including the Hindu Society’s Diwali Celebration, a dumpling-making session to celebrate Lunar New Year and the Senior Class Dinner. While the second-floor meeting rooms have seamlessly transitioned to classrooms during the Academy Building renovation, Harkness discussions often take place along the long tables in the main dining room.
Dining Al Fresco
When the sun is out, students are too. The welcoming front terrace comfortably seats up to 80 diners. It’s also a great spot for impromptu performances, outdoor study sessions and casual meetups with friends.
With Gratitude
The Hahn Center was made possible by the generosity of Scott Sang-Won Hahn ’90; P’22, P’25, a former trustee who was the lead donor. The Bonnie McElveen Dining Hall was gifted by trustee Gil Kemp ’68 and named in honor of Bonnie McElveen, a former U.S. ambassador to Finland. The second-floor dining rooms were given to the Academy by Suphachai and Busadee Chearavanont P’22, in honor of Zander Chearavanont ’22; and Monica L. and Alexander C. Robinson ’92; P’27, in honor of Edward Robinson ’63; P’92; GP’27.
“It’s a beautiful space to eat and I love the light. The way the tables are set up you’re really close with your friends. I feel comfortable here.”
—Hazel Jacobs, '26
Main Dining Room
The centerpiece of the Hahn Center is a light-filled, two-level dining room with soaring ceilings and chandeliers. Outfitted with wooden tables in different sizes and shapes, the ground and mezzanine levels buzz with activity and conversation during peak meal hours.
Special Events & Making Memories
With a flexible layout and furnishings to seat more than 400, the Hahn Center provides the perfect backdrop for larger events such as class dinners, Exeter Leadership Weekend or Family Weekend gatherings and graduation celebrations. In May, when members of the class of 2020 returned for their fifth reunion, they gathered in the Hahn Center for one of the most anticipated events of the weekend: the opening of their prep-year time capsules, which they missed (along with the rest of their on-campus graduation activities) because of the pandemic.
Diverse Menu
The kitchen’s ample preparation and cooking areas allow the dining staff to effectively and efficiently respond to culinary needs, including dietary choices and allergies, and to celebrate the many cultures, ethnicities and religions of the Academy community. Grill and saute stations serve a wide variety of dishes, including palak paneer, coconut sticky rice, hamburgers and fries. Other options are the pasta and salad bars, freshly baked desserts and made-to-order items like grilled chicken breast and tofu.
Self-service
The large multifunctional table in the center of the servery was custom-built for the space. “Students love their panini grills; they love making their waffles in the morning,” Leonard says. “Our students are very appreciative, and enjoy preparing and customizing their food options.”
Flexible Learning
Two private dining rooms on the second floor double as classrooms and meeting rooms. During the ongoing renovation of the Academy Building, several instructors are holding regular classes in these rooms. “We needed every room possible, and the dining team stepped up,’” Math Instructor Jarad Schofer says. “Students love going right to lunch. If class ends at 12:40, they can beat the lines — they really like that.”
Commitment to Sustainability
Geothermal wells buried beneath the Academy Building lawn power the Hahn Center, which is outfitted with high-efficiency features including low-flow plumbing, LED lighting and state-of-the-art kitchen technology aimed at minimizing the use of fossil fuels.
Sarah Pruitt '95 is a staff writer for The Exeter Bulletin and longtime contributor to History.com.
