Construction Begins on New Dormitory Shovel-ready: Michael MacDonald of Downes Construction Company, Madelynne Richmond ’15, Anita Richmond ’16, Jeremy Richmond, Harrison Richmond ’13, Trustee Elizabeth Richmond ’80, Head of School Sheila Culbert, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Christopher Norton ’76, Trustee Joel Alvord ’56, and Craig Saunders of Tecton Architects. Photo: John Groo
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OOMIS CHAFFEE broke ground for the school’s 11th dormitory on May 25. Richmond Hall, named in honor of Howard S. Richmond ’35, will house 50 students, four faculty apartments, and a state-of-the-art health center and will create a courtyard with two companion dormitories, Kravis Hall and the soon-to-be renovated Gwendolen Hall. Richmond Hall is slated for completion in the summer of 2014. “Howie Richmond enjoyed an eight-decade relationship with the school before his passing in 2012 at 94 years of age. He gave generously to his alma mater over the years, and his wise counsel helped guide the school’s growth,” Head of School Sheila Culbert said at the ground-breaking ceremony, attended by several members of the Richmond family. A three-generation Loomis family, eight Richmonds have followed Howie to
the school to pursue their educations, including three of his children and five of his grandchildren. Speaking on behalf of the family, Howie's daughter Elizabeth Richmond ’80, who is a Trustee and current parent, said her father loved the school and had a “never-ending dedication to support and continue the dreams of the founding family. It would give him great joy to know his family will now continue his legacy of supporting and creating opportunities for everyone who counts themselves among the Loomis family.” A $5 million gift from the Anita B. and Howard S. Richmond Foundation made by Anita and Howie’s children Frank ’71, Larry ’72, Phill, Rob, and Elizabeth ’80 completed the funding to construct the building. Several others also offered generous support to the project, including Joel Alvord ’56, Duncan MacLean ’90, and John “Temp” Keller ’94.
Artist rendering of Richmond Hall perspective view of east side and north entry Tecton Architects
The addition of Richmond Hall will help the school reach one of its strategic goals — to grow boarding student enrollment. “A Loomis education is about far more than just teaching in the classroom," Sheila explained. "It is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week experience that includes ... invaluable informal interactions among students, their peers, and the faculty — interactions that occur in the dining halls, quadrangles, hallways, and the dormitories.”
Super-High-Tech Classroom Has Global Reach
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IKE a modern-day superhero’s realm, a mild-mannered classroom on the first floor of the Katharine Brush Library has transformed this summer into the Pearse Technology Classroom, a room equipped with cutting-edge and highly immersive technology and honed to enable global, interactive learning in real time. The room was made possible by a generous donation from John ’58 and Sally ’58 Pearse. The classroom houses three LCD displays, including an 80-inch multi-touch monitor that acts as a high-resolution interactive whiteboard, projector, television, and audiovisual sharing tool. The room
also is a high-definition video conferencing center, and the integrated technology enables users to collaborate with individuals and groups around the world. The technology classroom advances the roles of the Center for Global Studies and the Henry R. Kravis ’63 Center for Excellence in Teaching, both of which also are located on Brush's first floor. “We want to do everything we can to help teachers creatively use this space to their advantage within the classroom as well as outside of it," says Scott MacClintic ’82, director of the Kravis Center.
Granddaughter Abigail Lavalley ’13, son-in-law Jerome Lavalley, and John ’58 and Sally ’58 Pearse in the new Pearse Technology Classroom. Photo: John Groo
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