Light the Future Newsletter | April 2017

APRIL 2017

NEWSLETTER

RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY ATOP HUNTER HALL

HUNTER HALL RISES UP CONS TRUCTIO N CO MPLETE D FO U R MO NTH S AH E AD O F SC H E DUL E

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t the unveiling of the new floors in January on top of Hunter Hall, the corridors buzzed with excited Upper and Middle School students.

Today, the students and their teachers occupy ten new classrooms equipped with state-of-theart technology. In all, Hunter Hall has increased from 37,000 sq ft to 47,000 sq ft.

“These new floors are crucial to the Campus Redevelopment Project,” Principal Bo Lauder said. “The additional space makes it possible for students and teachers to stay on campus during the next two years as the townhouses are redeveloped.” Julia Bates ’83, Campaign Committee member and parent, commented, “Completing this construction ahead of schedule

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and on budget is a terrific achievement, especially in New York City. We are encouraged as we continue our efforts to bring LIGHT THE FUTURE to fruition.”

By adding floors to Hunter Hall and constructing an integrated building behind the Townhouse facades, the School is gaining 83,200 sq ft ­of improved program space, which includes 40,100 sq ft of new program space and 20,260 sq ft of additional program space. The School will also gain 6,500 sq ft of developed exterior space, six additional classrooms and a Greenhouse classroom, Great Room, Makerspace, Science Labs, Upper School Commons, updated athletic facilities, and a Center for Peace, Equity & Justice.

CAMPAIGN NEWSLETTER FOR THE FRIENDS SEMINARY COMMUNITY

Connecting the Centuries: The New Townhouse Building

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ver the last four decades, the leadership of Friends Seminary had the foresight to purchase the three townhouses that adjoin Hunter Hall. The 2004 Master Plan, one of the first projects tackled by Principal Bo Lauder at the beginning of his tenure, envisioned integrating the townhouses to maximize the space for teaching and learning. Designed by Kliment Hasband Architects, the Townhouse Building will be a purpose-built educational facility, completely integrated with Hunter Hall, which will stand behind three fully restored 19th century façades. These two connected buildings will create a fully accessible campus.

With demolition planned for this summer, the first step is to salvage architectural elements such as pocket doors, fireplaces, tiles and pier mirrors.

“Repurposing these elements reflects our Quaker emphasis on stewardship of resources,” Prinicipal

PERSIAN TILES IN THE 214TOWNHOUSE

Bo Lauder said. “These beautiful 19th century details will add character to the new spaces and recall the happy days we have spent in these buildings.”

Later in the spring, the façades will be braced and the surrounding ground secured. Following the demolition, permanent structural supports for the façades will be installed and the construction of the new integrated building will begin.

Students Benefit from Improvements Completed Over the Summer

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spects of the Campus Redevelopment Project completed during summer 2016 have already had an impact on students and teachers. Infrastructure improvements such as new CAT6 wiring and new lighting throughout Hunter Hall, as well as the new climbing wall in the gym, enhance teaching and learning.

The Middle School Science Lab, untouched since 1964, was renovated in August. Old lab tables and storage cabinets were replaced with furniture that allows for more flexible groupings and efficient storage. Science Department Head Hassan Wilson, who was involved in the design of the new lab, said that the open layout allows teachers to move around the classroom more easily

to monitor and support all students equally.

Increased storage capacity means multiple lab materials can be housed in the classroom.

“There is far greater scope for differentiation in teaching,” Wilson said. “For example, Grade 8 students can now choose a topic that interests them most.”

TEACHER HASSAN WILSON & STUDENT

Endowment Helps Meet Growing Need for Financial Aid

Campaign Committee

robust endowment provides a strong foundation for Friends and safeguards our Quaker mission through fluctuating economic conditions. It enables the School to provide financial aid, respectful compensation to teachers and other resources that support our mission.

Jon Cohen Former School Committee member, current Grandparent, Parent of Alumni and Honorary Alumnus

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Over the last ten years, the Friends endowment has increased from $7.1M in 2006 to $28.2M in 2016. Each year endowment contributes to financial aid, salaries and program initiatives.

As the endowment has grown, however, so too has the need for financial aid. In 2015-2016 $4.8m was allocated to financial aid compared with $1.8M in 2001-2002. In a world in which many young people face profound inequalities of opportunity, providing additional financial support remains a core value of the School.

Recognizing that the endowment must grow to meet this need, donors to Light the Future Campaign have contributed $7M to the endowment, exceeding the initial $5M goal.

“It’s gratifying to exceed our endowment goal for Light the Future,” Matthew Annenberg ’83, Co-clerk of the Board of Trustees, said. “We are now fully focused on supporting the Campus Redevelopment Project.”

ENDOWMENT HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED!

HONORARY CHAIR

CAMPAIGN CABINET Dean Backer, Julia Bates ’83, Luigi Caiola, Kathryn Flores, Joseph P. Healey, Robert “Bo” Lauder, Parag Pande, Debbie Perelman, Pablo Salame LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE Paul Britton, Dana Wallach Jones, Rachel Judlowe, Steve Kayman, Adam Litke, Raj Malladi, Rodrigo Niño, Thomas Skrobe, Cory Spencer LAWYERS GROUP Barry Berke (Chair), Jamie Levitt (Chair), Joel Cohen, Ed DeFranco, Larry Gerschwer, Elizabeth Grayer, Michael Martinez, Dolly Mirchandani, Michele Penzer, Harry Robins, Hollis Salzman, Brooke Singer, Lisa Watts COMMUNICATIONS AND STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE Maddie Vaz (Chair), Leora Burger (Co-chair), PJ Malladi (Co-chair), Rachel Axinn ’86, Jeff Bloch, Kate Bullinger, David Good, Kate Iacono, Brad Miles, Bradley Tusk, Pam Weisz, Jill Zenker ALUMNI CAMPAIGN COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Rachel Axinn ’86 (Chair), Stephen Lipmann ’62 (Chair), Joshua Isay ’87, Rebecca Moore ’84, Eric Obenzinger ’03, Andrew Sullivan ’98 ALUMNI COUNCIL FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE Richard Casten ’59, Norman Feit ’74, Edes Powell Gilbert ’49, Amanda Miller ’84 CORPORATE OUTREACH COMMITTEE Sisi Kamal, Jeneen Mangel, Bradley Tusk

For more information, or if you have any questions about the Campaign, contact Susan Wilen, Campaign Director, at swilen@friendsseminary.org or 646.979.5056.

Building SPACES. Expanding CURRICULUM. Strengthening COMMUNITY.

Thanks to the philanthopy of early donors, the LIGHT THE FUTURE Campaign has raised more than $33 million, with more than $20 million raised for the Campus Redevelopment Project and more than $7 million raised for the endowment!

Now that our students and teachers have moved into the new Hunter Hall floors, we turn to YOU to help make the Townhouse Project a reality. To learn more about the project and how you can support Friends, visit W W W.L IG H T­—T H E— F UT U R E.O RG.

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P R I N T E D O N R EC Y L E D PA P E R

Thanks to our early donors...