Dordt announces “The Atrium” and “The Overlook” as names for dining and banquet hall spaces

Dordt University officials have announced the names for the institution’s soon-to-open dining commons and banquet hall.

The new dining commons, on track to be completed by late summer, offers soaring glass curtain walls that create an expansive, light-filled environment: on the south, prairie vistas stretch to the horizon; to the north, the iconic Dordt Clock Tower anchors the view.

“The amount of glass and the view in the main space makes ‘The Atrium’ such an appropriate name,” says Dr. Erik Hoekstra, president of Dordt University. “While our past facility’s name of ‘The Commons’ could well have moved over to the new building, this new name signals a new day, a new opportunity, and a new perspective on how our buildings shape the unique Christ-centered community which we all hold so dear at Dordt.”

The name captures the essence of the space, adds Vice President for Student Success and Dean of Students Robert Taylor. “It evokes a feeling of being outdoors and immersed in God’s creation. It’s a one-of-a-kind environment where students will gather to eat, study, and build community together.”

The upper level will function as a welcome center for visitors, with comfortable seating and panoramic views designed to leave a lasting first impression. This space, now referred to as “The Overlook,” also includes large windows and sweeping sightlines.

Taylor says it makes sense to name the space after its characteristics. “This space offers a crow’s nest perspective, with elevated views of campus—including the prairie—and it also overlooks The Atrium. It’s a breathtaking view, and the scale of the space is unexpectedly grand.”

Both spaces will offer beautiful settings for students to gather for a wide range of purposes. “The natural light and lovely views make them ideal for spending time before, between, or after classes,” adds Taylor. “Students will enjoy dining, socializing, and studying. In The Atrium, students will even have the chance to watch their peers perform in live sports and fine arts events via the videowall, featuring content from the Dordt Media Network.”

Connecting the Campus Center and the B.J. Haan Auditorium, The Atrium will hold approximately 400 people for meal service at a time and will be open to students more hours per day than the current facility allows. The new dining space is more centrally located on campus, and it will include an outdoor patio space.

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.