2008 Woodie Awards
College dedicates newly renovated buildings next week
Nicole Klaas, Editor-In-Chief
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Nicole Klaas
Editor-in-Chief
As alumni of all ages and the Board of Trustees return to campus Homecoming Weekend, the college is taking time to thank those who have contributed to recent campus renovation projects.
During a dedication and, in the cases of the Evans Welcome Center at Hughes House and Great Hall, rededication ceremony Friday, Oct. 7, the college will honor donors who funded construction projects that are now, save minor additions, complete. Following a walking tour of the Evans Welcome Center, Fitness Center, Bookstore and Great Hall, the brief ceremony will be held in Great Hall at 4:30 p.m.
"It's a great opportunity to say thank you to the people who made these changes possible," says Bill Neill, special assistant to the president. "We have some alumni and friends of the college who have been very, very generous."
Neill and President David Joyce are also hoping many of the donors will be able to attend the ceremony.
"Leonard Dahm, who is the individual who made possible the renovations of Great Hall, is coming from California," says Neill. "He's of the class of 1943, which if you look at the calendar, it was during his years here at Ripon College that Harwood Union was built. So, he was one of the early users of it, and now it's appropriate that he's providing the funds to renovate it."
First intended for use as the college's dining hall during a time when students sat down and ate as one group, Harwood Union has undergone many changes over the years.
"Most everyone who gave contributions actually ate in Great Hall, so they're going to be excited to see how we restored it to its original size and grandeur," says Joyce.
While Great Hall was first used as a dining hall, Evans housed multiple college presidents until the current house was built in 1967. Later, it was used as a women's dormitory and, more recently, housed students working on campus during the summer.
Renovations in the Hughes House were made possible through a lead donation from a trust established by R. Harry Evans, a 1938 graduate. The gift was made in memory of Evans' parents, Silas and Nell Evans. Silas Evans, an 1898 Ripon graduate, was also president of the college for more than 20 years.
Also contributing to the Evans center project are John and Nelly Murray, both 1937 graduates of the college. The Murrays financed the Weiss room in honor of George C. Weiss, an 1886 graduate and Nelly Murray's father. The living room is now the office of Admission Office Secretary and Technician Cyndi West.
Don and Marilyn Anderson, respectively 1942 and 1945 graduates, financed the Anderson room, once the house's dining room.
"Many of our alumni and board members have not seen these buildings in a long period of time," says Neill. "The weekend will give them a chance to see it. And, there's a lot to see."
Besides building renovations in Harwood, Evans and Bovay, the latter of which was financed through estates, the ceremony will also recognize smaller renovation projects that have taken place in Pickard Commons. Board Member Audrey Lyke, who made the key donation for the bookstore, will be recognized for her contribution in Pickard.
As for the ceremony itself, it will include three speakers: a student voice from senior Guy McHendry, a voice from the administration and President David Joyce.
The ceremony will also allow the college to share its vision for preserving the memory of the history of each of the renovated spaces. Bronze plaques, which will eventually be placed in each upgraded location, will describe each building, its history and recognize the donors who made the renovations possible.
"We'll also have some pictures of the way the buildings have looked through the years to see how they've changed," says Neill. These photographs, written histories and plaques will be posted when the final plaques arrive.
Following the remarks will be an informal punch and cookie gathering in the rotunda.
"The idea is to get people to talk, visit and get them to see the changes on campus," says Neill.
"We want our guests that weekend to get involved with all the excitement that's going on around campus right now and the renovations are certainly a part of that," adds Neill.