DECEMBER 2017
NEWSLETTER
Gordon Hulse with wife Diane
The Man, The Myth, The Mustache GORDON HULSE’S 40 YEARS OF SERVICE TO FRIENDS
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t’s 6 a.m. on a chilly December Monday morning along 16th Street. A man sporting a black cap, a distinct mustache and a chain adorned by a pound of keys is walking up the stairs to Hunter Hall. With a turn of one of his keys, the Friends Seminary campus quietly comes to life—a school day ritual undertaken by Building Supervisor Gordon Hulse for the past 40 years. Gordon begins by walking the halls to make sure the physical plant is safe, secure and ready for the day ahead. His handlebar mustache and mutton chops are as much a landmark as the
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Meetinghouse itself, and his steady presence has reassured students, parents, faculty and staff for generations. Born in Boston and raised in Manhattan, Gordon was introduced to Friends by his wife, Diane Hulse, who was a teacher, administrator and college counselor at the School from 197684. A cabinet maker by training, he completed a number of small building projects before being offered the job of Building Supervisor, the School’s first. A great problem-solver with a creative yet logical mind, Gordon plays a pivotal role in ensuring the School
CAMPAIGN NEWSLETTER FOR THE FRIENDS SEMINARY COMMUNITY
Gordon Hulse, cont. makes the most of limited space. Gordon has managed many building projects, small and large, in historical and newly acquired spaces. He comments, “For me, finding new useful spaces often hidden in plain sight has been very rewarding. The Seegers Center is a great example.” In the 2004 facilities study to evaluate what Friends had, and what it wished to have, consensus was reached on two key priorities: to improve both circulation and accessibility. These issues and the longstanding commitment to academic excellence were the foundations of the Master Plan, implemented in two transformational campaigns: Lift Every Voice and, now, Light the Future. Gordon’s deep understanding of the physical plant has been critical to the realization of this vision. In 2010 the Lift Every Voice Campaign was completed, making possible the large staircase and welcoming reception area, improvements to Lower School classrooms and the new library near the front door to the School. The stairwell dramatically improved circulation and safety, and a new elevator made the campus two-thirds accessible. The renovation of the cafeteria that created the open kitchen soon followed. In 2014, the Light the Future Campaign began. Gordon explains, “Structural issues in Hunter Hall were addressed that enabled us to add two new stories and the Skyfield. We are capturing all available space in the townhouses and making our entire campus accessible.” Gordon has overseen the relocation of people and resources during the duration of this three-year construction project, now in its second year.
Diane Hulse comments, “Our entire married life has been influenced by the School. Gordon is the greatest problem-solver, and at Friends, he never runs out of problems. Like Bo, he sees the potential of what can be done.” When asked how he would like to be remembered Gordon reflects, “As someone who has added to the continuity of the School’s long history.” Having worked alongside three long serving Principals: Joyce McCray, Richard Eldridge and Bo Lauder, Gordon’s place in the history of Friends is assured. SIGNIFICANT BUILDING PROJECTS OVERSEEN BY GORDON
1981
Gut renovation of Kelly House (worked with architect Norman Rosenfeld P’83)
1993
Creation of the Seeger Center; a ceiling hung from the trusses between Hunter Hall and the Old School Building (worked with Joe Sweeney ’55)
1997
Construction of the playroof, which required a close examination of Hunter Hall’s structural support and the renovation of the Annex on East 15th Street (worked with Peter Rothschild P ’98, ’01)
2001
The purchase of 214 E. 16th Street, where modest renovations were carried out.
2006
Completion of Phase 1 of the Campus Master Plan
New Spaces Come to Life in Hunter Hall
Input from Lower School science lab teachers was influential during the design process of the new lab in the heart of the Lower School. Teacher Ben Horner comments, “Lower School science is materials intensive. Whether we’re making skeleton models in Grade 1 or composting in Grade 3, it’s hands-on learning. The ability to move around the room, to have easy access to equipment and to display peer work across all grades has been fantastic and has enriched the learning experience for all.”
The Skyfield is used for PE, recess, soccer practice, after-school programs and at times serves as an outdoor classroom. Director of Extended Programs Robin Hoffmann comments, “The astro surface is really appealing and feels more like a field. Students are very excited, and it’s getting a lot of use!”
DECONSTRUCTED The Townhouses are being methodically dismantled and rebuilt.
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he demolition of everything behind the three townhouse facades along 16th Street is complete! In a complex maneuver, the facades of the townhouses were secured with 50 tons of steel. The vertical beams were dropped in by a crane, and the horizontal beams were pulled through the windows of the townhouses by hand. Tishman Project Superintendent Scott Waddell explains, “Everything is gravity driven. We had a team of 12 working with hand tools, buckets and wheelbarrows. All debris went down a shoot to the basement, where heavy machinery took over. The excavator scooped up the debris, and the loader carried it down the alley to East 15th Street.� Now that the demolition is done, construction is underway. Dismantling the townhouses was a process of discovery and preservation. The crew was surprised to discover an 18-foot coal shoot leading to the street from the basement of Kelly House. The cornice on the facades, thought to be metal, is carved wood and will be fully restored. A number of architectural elements have been repurposed including fine oak rafters. Some 75 architectural relics are in storage in Long Island City, waiting to take their place in the new building.
A D ONO R’ S P E RS P EC TI VE
Helping Our School Reach Its Potential “Since we became Friends parents ten years ago, we have seen the School grow and develop in many wonderful ways. We most value its strong community and are so grateful to be part of an institution that gives us a sense of connection and reminds us to look beyond ourselves. We support Light the Future so Friends can continue to remain true to its Quaker ideals while offering a rigorous education to our children and to generations to come. Light the Future will allow Friends to realize its full potential as it continues to help our children reach theirs.”
Sarah Safer P’20, ’24, ’24
What’s the difference between The Fund for Friends and Light the Future? Established more than 50 years ago, the Fund for Friends (annual giving) enriches teaching and learning by supporting competitive faculty salaries, financial aid and a range of programming initiatives. It also helps the Board moderate tuition increases. Schools improve facilities and increase endowment through capital campaigns. The previous campaign, Lift Every Voice, completed in 2010, and the current Light the Future campaign are the realization of the 2004 Master Plan and the 2015 Strategic Plan. Begun in 2014, the Light the Future Campaign is raising funds for dramatic improvements to the School’s facilities and endowment. The Campaign advances academic excellence, fosters community and provides full campus accessibility. All members of the community are encouraged to make a gift to the Light the Future to ensure the successful completion of this transformational project, while also maintaining their support for the Fund for Friends.
“The Fund for Friends is a lifeline that keeps the School running smoothly every year. Light the Future is part of a legacy that improves facilities and builds endowment. I care deeply about my kids’ educations and the future of Friends, which is why I am making two gifts to Friends this year.” - ANU WILLOUGHBY, COMMUNITY PHASE CO-CHAIR
Leaving a Lasting Legacy: The Power of Planned Giving
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istinguished literary figure and mainstay of the Friends community, Wendy Weil ’57, leaves a lasting legacy. Received after her death in 2013, her $643,000 bequest contributed significantly to the $7.5 million endowment goal for the Light the Future Campaign. In 201718, the School’s endowment generated $884,320 towards financial aid, faculty salaries and other initiatives. A great believer that alumni should serve as custodians for future generations, Wendy took an active interest in Friends throughout her life. Known for her intelligence, charm and talent for friendship, she mentored students and organized countless alumni gatherings, ultimately serving as Clerk of the Alumni Council, 2001-2007. Wendy’s legacy extends beyond Friends Seminary. She joined Doubleday’s training program shortly after graduating from Wellesley and went on to become a notable literary agent. Over her long career, she represented Pulitzer Prize winners, National Book Award winners and New York Times bestselling authors including Alice Walker (The Color Purple) and Mark Halprin (Winter’s Tale). Ship Fever by Andrea Barrett, the 1996 winner of the National Book Award, was dedicated to her. Wendy early in her literary career.
LIGHT THE FUTURE CAMPAIGN: FINANCIAL UPDATE GOAL
ACHIEVED
TO BE RAISED
Fund for Friends
$8,500,000
$6,025,000
$2,475,000
Endowment
$7,500,000
$7,751,782
+$251,782
Campus Redevelopment Project
$29,000,000
$23,800,000
$5,200,000
Total Goal for Light the Future
$45,000,000
To sustain your support for the Fund for Friends and make a gift to Light the Future, Campus Redevelopment Project, call Director of Advancement Katherine Precht at 646.979.5050 or visit W WW.F RIEN DS S EMIN A RY.O RG / G IV E To learn more about the Campaign and Project, visit: W W W.L IG H T—T H E— F UT U R E.O RG
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Goal Exceede
C A M PA I G N CO M M I T T E E S HONORARY CHAIR
COMMUNITY PHASE CO-CHAIRS
Jon Cohen Former School Committee member, Grandparent, Parent of Alumni, Honorary Alumnus
Beth Brownstein
CAMPAIGN CABINET
Anu Willoughby
Dean Backer Julia Bates ’83 Luigi Caiola
David Bowers Samantha Hourihan Eric Quiñones
COMMUNICATIONS AND STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE Maddie Vaz (Chair)
Kathryn Flores
Leora Burger (Co-chair)
Joseph Healey
PJ Malladi (Co-chair)
Parag Pande Debbie Perelman Pablo Salame LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE Paul Britton Jared Hendricks Dana Wallach Jones
ALUMNI CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE Norm Feit ’74 (Co-Chair) Schuyler Allen-Kalb ’86 (Co-Chair) Fred Buse ’59 Barbara Kates-Garnick ’68 Juliet Kay ’06 Stephen Lipmann ’62
Rachel Judlowe
Amanda Miller ’84
Steve Kayman
Matt Monness ’04
Adam Litke Rodrigo Niño Thomas Skrobe Cory Spencer Steve Tuttleman
Rebecca Moore ’84 Andrew Sullivan ’98
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FRIENDS SEMINARY 2 2 2 E A S T 1 6 TH S T R E E T N E W YO R K , N Y 1 0 0 0 3
#LightTheFuture4Friends