Pannill-Smith Hall Naming Ceremony Article_September 2020

ENDOWMENT

PANNILL-SMITH HALL

Naming Ceremony

J

ust days before students returned to campus to begin

George, Class of 1989, shared as she kicked off this

the 2020-21 academic year, alumni, administrators,

special event. “Five years ago when I joined the

faculty, and members of the Pannill and Smith families gathered on Box Plaza under the “Smoking Tree” to recognize two beloved alumni and trustees—Will Pannill, Class of 1973, and Chris Smith, Class of 1982— whose names will forever distinguish the portico of VES’ new academic building.

VES Board of Trustees, I asked to join the Master Plan Committee, led by Joel Williams, Class of 1985.

After being in one of their meetings, I sensed so much excitement and enthusiasm for the future of VES. Now, the legacy you gentleman are creating with Pannill-Smith Hall will educate generations of Bishops and positively change many lives, and we

“I am happy that this spot on which we celebrate today—where past Bishops gathered and future Bishops will soon come together—is getting a significant upgrade,” Board Chair Mary Hodges

humbly thank you.”

Over the past few years, together with Glavé & Holmes Architecture, the Board of Trustees’ Buildings & Grounds Committee crafted a vision

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to guide the development of VES’ physical plant

for reminding their players that it is not the name

for the next 20 years. At the same time, the school

on the back of their jerseys that matters; it is the

created a new strategic vision, including as a top

name on the front that counts. In other words it’s not

priority construction of a new academic building.

about the individual, it is about the school they are

This vision—begun under the leadership of former

playing for. I think this is generally a great principle,

Board Chair Mike Alford, Class of 1982, and former

but sometimes individuals represent the character

Headmaster Tommy Battle, Class of 1983, and now

of their institution so well that the school gets to

continuing with new Head of School Garth Ainslie—

recognize them—to raise their jerseys to the rafters

is becoming a reality thanks to the leadership and

or forever etch their names onto a building. Today

philanthropic spirit of Will Pannill, Chris Smith, their

is one of those occasions, and Chris Smith and Will

families and friends.

Pannill are two of those individuals who represent their school so well that we are the ones honored by

Fundraising for Pannill-Smith Hall began with a

having their names on this magnificent building that

major commitment—the largest single gift of a living

will fittingly be the heart of this campus.”

donor in VES history—of Will Pannill, who has been asking at every board meeting since his days on

Garth highlighted the many ways in which Chris and

the master plan committee, “When are we going to

Will are similar. For example:

build that academic building?” Since making his gift, several members of the Class of 1973 have joined with him.

• Both have demonstrated their commitment to VES through extensive service on the Board of Trustees. Will is entering his 13th year on the

This past spring, while Chris Smith has been undergoing treatment for ALS, friends from all over

board; Chris served for eight years.

• They chose to direct philanthropic gifts to

the country—as far away as Hawaii and some having

the school to honor others, “showing what

no affiliation with VES at all—were rallied by Chris’

selfless people they are.” Will honored his

childhood friend Don White ’81, and VES friends

favorite teacher, Bron Childress, and Chris made

Stewart Roddey ’82, Mike Alford ’82, Howard Moye

significant gifts in honor of Bruce McCormick,

’81, and Joe Brewer ’81, who gave $1 million for a

Phil Garmey and B.K. Mundy ’67.

significant naming opportunity in honor of Chris.

This extraordinary donation was later matched two-to-one by Chris’ family to name the building Pannill-Smith Hall.

• Each has used his philanthropic commitments to inspire others to give at critical moments.

Garth shared one last insight into just how alike the

Garth Ainslie opened his Naming Ceremony remarks with these words: “[UNC head basketball coaches] Dean Smith and Roy Williams are known

two men are: “When I got the news that we would name this building of higher learning for Chris and Will, I began thinking about the generations of future Bishops who will stare up at the names and wonder who these men are, and what kind of students they must have been to get their names forever enshrined on this important academic hall. So I ran to the archives to retrieve their respective transcripts. I was hoping to share with you and all the Bishops to come the academic distinction these men earned at VES. However, it turns out that both stipulated the exact same condition before agreeing to

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lend their names to this building. I am sure it is purely out of modesty, but both requested that their transcripts never see the light of day, and I am going to honor that request!

“

About Pannill-Smith Hall In the spirit of our mission, Strategic Vision and Academic Philosophy, the new academic building is being designed to reflect the

VES will be forever grateful to Chris Smith and Will Pannill for their contributions to this school and for the right they have earned to have their names on Pannill-Smith Hall, joining other icons of VES— Jett, Pendleton, Langhorne, Barksdale, Banks, Gannaway, McCormick, Perkins, Wyatt, Ainslie, Zimmer, Van Every, Randolph, and King.

historic beauty and traditions of campus working in harmony with the innovative new approaches to teaching and learning.

More than just providing additional classrooms, the space is designed to be a signature building that symbolizes and nurtures the academic institution we have been and which we are becoming.

The new academic building supports our commitment to VES’ Strategic Choice to deliver a curriculum, anchored to the VES Academic Philosophy, that inspires and develops curious, innovative thinkers and producers. In Pannill-Smith Hall, you will find

Pannill-Smith Hall and its supporting

faculty nurturing VES’ tradition and history as

endowment are part of a $14.5

a school that ensures that all our graduates

million fundraising effort for several

are strong writers and communicators.

capital projects on campus. As of fall 2020, VES has raised nearly $10

With three academic departments—English,

million—70%—of its goal.

History and World Languages—locating to Pannill-Smith Hall, students will be spending

For more information on

at least two-thirds of their academic day

Pannill-Smith Hall, please contact

within these walls. This building dedicated

Henry Clarke ’03, Director of

to the Humanities will be full of windows

Development: hclarke@ves.org |

and light, as research shows these are

434.385.3708.

essential to students’ health and overall sense of well-being.

Living into our Academic Philosophy, the learning experiences we strive to create for

To watch a brief highlight video of the Naming Ceremony and see renderings of the building, visit ves.org/psh.

our students require flexible spaces that allow ample room for collaboration, presentation and movement. This space will serve as a hub for communication, interconnectivity and gatherings at VES.

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