Boston College has received a $125 million donation—the largest in the University’s history—from the Patrick F. Cadigan Family Foundation to fund the renovation of Carney Hall, according to a University release. 

“Pat Cadigan’s commitment will enable the University to bring together several social science departments that have long modeled rigorous teaching and world-class scholarship,” said David Quigley, the Robert L. and Judith T. Winston provost and dean of faculties, in the release.

Once approved by BC’s Board of Trustees, the donation, funded by the estate of the late Patrick F. Cadigan, BC ’57 and P ’91, will support renovations to Carney Hall, including a 50,000-square-foot addition and a Gothic architectural redesign. 

Following its reopening, Carney will be renamed Cadigan Hall in honor of the late benefactor. 

After graduating from BC, Cadigan served as president and CEO of the Electronic Engineering Company of California, running the company for nearly 20 years. In 2012, Cadigan donated $15 million to the University, which established the Cadigan Alumni Center on the Brighton Campus. 

Maria Cadigan, BC ’91, emphasized her father’s commitment to BC in the release, noting that he felt a continued responsibility to give back to the institutions that contributed to his growth and success. 

“He always told me that his time at Boston College truly formed him as a person,” Maria Cadigan said. “His Jesuit teachers, his professors, and the relationships he had with his classmates were powerful influences on him. They instilled in him the values and discipline needed to be successful in every aspect of both business and personal life.”

Upon re-opening, the building will house the departments of economics, political science, psychology, neuroscience, and sociology, according to the release. In addition, the Office of Campus Ministry will relocate from McElroy Commons to Cadigan Hall.

“It will provide a state-of-the-art home for faculty and students in the social sciences, and encourage deeper connections to neighbors in the humanities, management, and the sciences,” Quigley said. 

Carney Hall opened in 1964 and was named after Andrew Carney, an early benefactor to the University. The approximately 100,000-square-foot building currently houses classrooms, centers, multiple administrative offices, and the UGBC office. 

The University plans to offload offices and staff in Carney to McGuinn Hall before starting work on the building in 2028.