The Student Health and Wellness Center continues to serve in its original capacity as Meredith College’s campus Health Center, but also houses Advancement Services, Cooperating Raleigh Colleges, the Counseling Center and Disability Services. The building is located between Belk Dining Hall and Martin Hall.
With continued growth on the Meredith College campus, new construction became a common sight. More students meant the need for more living space. "Temporary" buildings constructed on the new college site in 1926 needed to be replaced and updated. A priority was an infirmary: the exiting medical facilities were housed on the fourth floor of Faircloth Residence Hall. A climb to a fourth floor facility is objectively not helpful to a sick student - and this space was needed to house students.
The contract for the new infirmary and for a new residence hall (later named Poteat) was awarded to J.M. Thompson Company of Raleigh after approval by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees on September 14, 1961. The total approved cost for both buildings was $680,0000. Plans and specifications were prepared by Haskins and Rice, Architects, also of Raleigh.
Dedicated on November 8, 1962, the Student Health and Wellness Center was originally named the Carroll Building after Dr. Elizabeth Delia Dixon Carroll. The SHWC was renamed by the Board of Trustees on March 23, 2023 as part of the College's ongoing Campuswide Anti-racism Initiative. After review, the Board recognized that Dr. Dixon-Carroll "engaged in racist and harmful practices that outweighed her contributions to the College."
When the infirmary opened, it had space for 32 patients and included a consultation room, three treatment rooms, a laboratory, drug room, x-ray room, as well as facilities for live-in nurses. It was also the only building at the time that was completely air conditioned.
Currently, the Student Health and Wellness Center also houses Advancement Services, Cooperating Raleigh Colleges, The Counseling Center and Disability Services.
The Student Health and Wellness Center was originally named for Dr. Delia Dixon-Carroll, Meredith College's physician from its opening in 1899 to 1934. As part of her philosophy of care, she insisted on strict preventative medical practices on campus, including high top shoes and warm long-sleeved underwear. She also taught classes in physiology and hygiene. Outside of campus, Dr. Dixon-Carroll was Raleigh's first practicing female physician and kept a private medical practice.
However, modern scholarship recognizes that Dr. Dixon-Carroll legacy is mixed. Although an advocate for woman's suffrage, it was in the cause of white supremacy; while she was a supporter of and president of the board of directors of Samarcand, a public institution for "delinquent" girls, investigations in the thirties uncovered poor living conditions and physical abuse. As a result, on March 24, 2023, after careful consideration, the Board of Director's voted unanimously to rename Carroll Hall, choosing the name, the Student Health and Wellness Center.
Exterior of the Student Health and Wellness Center (formerly Carroll Hall), shortly after the building was dedicated in October 1963. Previously, the infirmary had been housed on the fourth floor of Faircloth Hall.
When the Student Health and Wellness Center opened in 1963, it had beds for 32 patients, as well as diagnostic and treatment areas and rooms for the live-in nurses.
The Student Health and Wellness Center also houses Advancement Services, Cooperating Raleigh Colleges, The Counseling Center and Disability Services.
Carlyle Campbell Library
Meredith College
3800 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-760-8532
