INSPIRE THE GIVING NEWSLET TER OF PRAT T INSTITU TE
FALL 2014
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR BILL HILSON ESTABLISHES GRADUATE COMMUNICATIONS DESIGN SCHOLARSHIP Bill and Barbara Hilson Scholarship Will Attract Top Students and Drive Innovation and Performance
Bill Hilson
Pratt has shaped a long and illustrious career for Adjunct Professor of Graduate Communications Design William Hilson, who began his studies at the Institute’s School of Architecture and has since focused his professional life on graphic design, typography, and educating the next generation. “The creative problem-solving processes that I learned at Pratt have helped me in whatever I was doing,” says Hilson, who has worked on everything from print pieces and large-scale interactive media to web design. “And I try to teach my students the importance of being flexible in using what they learn and always saying yes to new opportunities.”
merit scholarships, which will be offered every other year, will attract top candidates to apply to Pratt and allow recipients to take fuller advantage of every aspect of the Graduate Communications Design program.
That freedom to “say yes” is part of what inspired Hilson to establish The Bill and Barbara Hilson Scholarship. The scholarship fund will offer three renewable, partial-tuition scholarships to incoming Graduate Communications Design students beginning in fall 2015. Hilson hopes that by significantly defraying tuition costs, these new
Hilson agrees that the timing is right. “Our department is redefining itself and moving forward, rolling out new courses, and integrating new ideas into the curriculum,” he says. “I love being a part of what’s going on here as a teacher. So giving to Pratt is just another way of contributing to my community.”
The creation of the scholarship fund couldn’t come at a better time, according to Santiago Piedrafita, the new chair of Communications Design at Pratt. “The Bill and Barbara Hilson Scholarship will help ensure that we attract the most promising students and that they’re able to fully focus on academics instead of worrying about financial concerns.”
MOVING BACK INTO MAIN BUILDING
Fine Arts Students Take Their Place in Newly Redone Studios For the first time since the February 2013 fire,
The return to hallowed ground isn’t the only excit-
Main Building’s fifth and sixth floors are filled once
ing thing about the department’s move. Major
again with the hustle and bustle of students from
improvements were made to the department’s
the Fine Arts program, who began using newly
Main Building spaces thanks to the hundreds
reconstructed studio spaces and seminar rooms
of gifts made towards Pratt’s fire recovery. These
this fall. While administrative offices and staff
improvements include energy-efficient lighting,
began to move back into the building as spaces
ceiling fans for increased ventilation, and new
were restored, this marks the first opportunity
spaces for critiques. The new oak floors, storage
for students to return to the permanent studios.
lockers, and redone seminar rooms have exceeded
The reopening of these studios carries particular
everyone’s expectations, according to Bright.
importance for seniors, who have returned
Donors and the larger Pratt community have
to new and improved spaces on the sixth floor
played an integral part in bringing students,
of Main Building after temporarily setting up
academic departments, and staff back to Main
shop in provisional studios in the ARC building.
Building, which has come a long way since
More than 42 art studios have been rebuilt
the upper floors were destroyed by the fire and
on the sixth floor, providing individual space for
the entire building suffered water and smoke
seniors to work on thesis projects, with new
damage. The many contributions received from
shared spaces for juniors on the fifth floor.
alumni, faculty, and friends helped to ensure
“Having a senior studio in Main Building is a greatly anticipated rite of passage,” says Chair
that Main Building was not only restored to its former glory, but also improved along the way.
Senior painting student Ashley Reyes (B.F.A. ’15) in one of the new Main Building studios
of Fine Arts Deborah Bright. “Students especially
While the restoration has benefited all of the
value the natural light that floods into those upper
building’s occupants, the Fine Arts department
floor spaces, and the high ceilings and archi-
is particularly thankful. Adjunct Associate
of permanence and commitment made to the
tectural character of Main make it an inspiring
Professor Greg Drasler, who teaches senior-level
students and the painting and drawing program
place to work.”
painting seminars, puts it best: “The feeling
is conspicuous.”
DEAN’S CORNER
GERRY SNYDER, DEAN, SCHOOL OF ART What excites you about being at Pratt at this point in the Institute’s history? I am excited about Pratt’s potential to be a driving force in Brooklyn’s resurgence as a center for innovation. Pratt has the strategic advantage of being able to attract the best and the brightest by focusing on its strengths in architecture, art, and design. You will be leading a separate School of Art at Pratt. Given that, how do you plan to maintain and build on the interdisciplinary curriculum that is a hallmark of a Pratt education? Gerry Snyder
Tell us a bit about your background and the experience you bring to the role of Dean of the School of Art. I am an artist with an undergraduate degree in painting and a graduate degree in video art. My work can be found in public and private collections including those of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the de Young Museum, Crystal Bridges, and the New Mexico Museum of Art. My academic career started at New York University, where I was the director of their Summer Art Programs and an adjunct assistant professor. My next appointment was as Vice President/Dean at the Pacific Northwest College of Art, where I helped the institution transition from a museum school to an independent college of art. My most recent position was as Chief Academic Officer at Santa Fe University of Art and Design, where I led the development of international programming.
Art, by its very nature, is a trans-disciplinary enterprise, which is why we require all the students in the School of Art to take a first-year Foundation Program. This interdisciplinary
environment in which to study film. The project also gives Pratt increased visibility on Myrtle Avenue, while maintaining its leadership role in the revitalization of the Clinton Hill neighborhood. I am also excited about the expansion of the Photography Department’s facilities, which will include a redesigned gallery area for student thesis exhibitions. Finally, we are developing expanded resources for our Fine Arts program. What new opportunities for alumni support does the separate School of Art present? With the creation of the School of Art, graduates of the Institute’s fine arts programs can now ensure that their gifts will benefit Pratt fine arts students who are following in their footsteps. By making a gift to The Fund
“I am excited about Pratt’s potential to be a driving force in Brooklyn’s resurgence as a center for innovation.” core paves the way for students to have a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of art. Leveraging the collaborative environment at Pratt with new technologies will create unique opportunities for students who come here. What new developments in the School of Art are you most excited about in the coming years? There are a number of initiatives that I am excited about in the School of Art. First, there is the new Film/Video building that opens in January. This state-of-the-art facility will provide students with an exceptional learning
for Pratt—School of Art, alumni play a vital role in providing immediate resources for curriculum development, scholarships, and facilities that impact current students every day. In addition, alumni may support the School through planned gifts, which will provide for future generations of aspiring artists. To make a secure online gift to The Fund for Pratt—School of Art, visit www.pratt.edu/give. Under “Special Instructions,” indicate that you prefer to direct your gift and select “Fund for Pratt—School of Art.”
PL ANNED GIVING
GET THE MOST FROM GIVING BACK WITH A DEFERRED CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY The Charitable Gift Annuity is a staple of many individuals’ retirement plans—offering both an immediate tax deduction and a reliable income stream for life. It is also a great way to make a meaningful gift to Pratt. However, for individuals who can wait a few years to begin receiving income payments, a Deferred Charitable Gift Annuity offers even more benefits, in particular a larger immediate tax deduction and higher payouts once payments begin. Here’s how it works: John Q. Builder is a 55-year-old sole practitioner of architecture. His practice has been successful, and John has several appreciated stocks that he has held for several years and that he would like to contribute to his alma mater, the Pratt Institute School of Architecture. However, he was also hoping to use these funds to support a phased retirement over the next ten to fifteen years. To meet his dual goals of giving back to Pratt and providing for his own future, John decides to donate $20,000 worth of appreciated securities to Pratt in 2014 via a Deferred Charitable Gift Annuity. As a result of this gift, John is eligible for a charitable deduction of $6,892* in 2014, which will help reduce his gross income while he is in a higher tax bracket. By donating the appreciated securities, he also avoids paying hefty capital gains taxes on them.**
12%
10%
8% Immediate Payments 6% Payments Deferred Five Years 4%
2%
0%
Age 65
Age 70
Age 75
Age 80
Establishing a Deferred Charitable Gift Annuity at Pratt can result in payments nearly 30 percent higher than those generated with a traditional Charitable Gift Annuity. For example, establishing a $25,000 gift annuity at Pratt at the age of 80 and deferring payments for 5 years would allow you to be eligible for an interest rate of 9.1 percent (for payments of $2,275) instead of the immediate interest rate of 6.8 percent (which would result in annual payments of $1,700).
When John sets up the Deferred Charitable Gift Annuity, he elects to begin receiving payments at age 65, when he anticipates reducing his workload and being in a lower income tax bracket. As a result of deferring payments for ten years, he is eligible for an interest rate of 6.4 percent and will receive $1,280 per year, of which $165 is tax free, for the remainder of his expected lifetime. After his death, the remainder of the annuity will support the School of Architecture.
To learn more about how a Deferred Charitable Gift Annuity can benefit you and Pratt, contact Drew Babitts, major and planned gifts officer, at 718.399.4296 or dbabitts@pratt.edu. * Assuming a cost basis of $5,000 for the securities used to establish the Deferred Charitable Gift Annuity ** Capital Gains taxes are paid over time during the life of the annuitant.
TR ANSFOR MING PR AT T
CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT FOSTERS CREATIVITY Generous Donors Spur the Evolution of Pratt’s Brooklyn Campus Outdoor Spaces The remaking of the Institute’s outdoor spaces has also marked a turning point for Pratt’s Brooklyn campus. Through his generosity over the past 25 years, Trustee Emeritus Bruce Newman (B.F.A. ’53) has transformed Pratt’s grounds with the creation of the Newman Mall and Amphitheater and, most recently, the landscaping of the Engineering Quadrangle in 2013. “The barren grounds I remember from my time at Pratt have been replaced by a landscaped campus,” he says. Indeed, the beauty of the Engineering Quadrangle is accentuated by Grand Walk, the 2010 transformation of which was made possible by Hiroko Nakamoto. Together, these improvements have helped to change the overall feeling of campus, and have cemented Pratt’s place as a residential college. Cutting Edge Facilities
Engineering Quadrangle
When people think of Pratt Institute, rigorous academics, innovative design thinking, and the historic campus all come to mind. However, while the campus, which Architectural Digest named one of the top 10 college campuses for architecture nationwide, now attracts students and promotes creative thinking, that wasn’t always the case.
Under the stewardship of Pratt President Thomas Schutte, as well as the generosity of trustees and alumni, the campus landscape has seen substantial change, beginning with the construction of Stabile Hall, which was built through a generous gift of $13 million from Vincent A. Stabile (Mechanical Engineering ’40) and which opened as undergraduate housing in 1999. Since then, the generosity and support of numerous individuals have transformed the spaces in which faculty and students teach, learn, gather, and display their creations. These improvements have marked the completion of Pratt’s transition from a commuter school to an international destination for students of art and design. The Juliana Curran Terian Design Center
Juliana Curran Terian Design Center
HOW TO GIVE...
In 2007, with the help of a generous gift from Pratt Trustee and alumna Juliana Terian (B. Arch. ’90), Pratt opened the Juliana Curran Terian Design Center—a multidisciplinary complex that brings all of Pratt’s design disciplines together under one roof, enhancing the interdisciplinary collaboration and exploration that are a hallmark of a Pratt education. The Terian Center comprises 150,000 square feet between two historic loft buildings joined by a modern pavilion designed by Hanrahan Meyers Architects, the firm headed by Pratt School of Architecture Dean Tom Hanrahan and his partner, Victoria Meyers. The Terian Center fosters the adaptability and resourcefulness of Pratt’s students and facilitates interdisciplinary learning, reinforcing Terian’s original motivation for making her gift. “The timeless designs— and the most successful—have embodied seamless relationships between disciplines,” she said. Now a crucial base for innovation and collaboration, the Terian Center is clearly helping students gain a sense of the larger context in which they work.
The Institute has also worked to ensure that its academic facilities feature cutting-edge design and technology, as well as contribute to Pratt’s inspirational learning environment. In Higgins Hall, architecture students pass through the soaring atrium of the Leo J. Kuhn Lobby, which was made possible through the generosity of Trustee James Kuhn. These students go on to attend seminars and lectures in the Na Ok Woo Conference Room and Choong Seun Oh classroom, which were created through the support of alumnus Young Woo (B. Arch. ’79). These spaces, along with the Hazel and Robert H. Siegel Gallery on the first floor, which was named in recognition of Trustee and alumnus Robert H. Siegel (B. Arch. ’62), exemplify the marriage between aesthetics and function for which Pratt is renowned. According to Schutte, these sites have transformed Pratt in resounding ways. “Thanks to the generosity of our trustees and alumni, Pratt has been able to provide students with the modern, inspiring spaces that allow for collaboration and artistic growth,” he says. “They have played an essential part in ushering in a new era for the Institute.”
Newman Mall
Naming a building or supporting campus enhancements is an ideal way to make a meaningful impact on Pratt Institute and its students. To learn more about these and other giving opportunities, please contact Institutional Advancement at 718.230.6852.
PRATT INSTITUTE Institutional Advancement | Major Gifts 200 Willoughby Avenue | Brooklyn, NY 11205
YO U ’RE IN V I T E D!
S TAY C O NNEC T E D
PRATT PRESENTS
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PRATTINSTITUTE
Big ideas. Bold thinkers. Brilliant dialogue.
Emily Mitra Moqtaderi EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CAMPAIGN AND MAJOR GIFTS
A new series of curated public programs and events presented by Pratt Institute, featuring distinguished artists, thinkers, and influencers.
Mara McGinnis EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING
WWW.TWITTER.COM/PRATTINSTITUTE WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/PRATTINSTITUTE WWW.PRATT.EDU/ABOUT_PRATT/NEWS/PRATT_PUBLICATIONS PRATT INSTITUTE INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Todd Michael Galitz VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Charlotte Savidge DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATIONS Harris Solomon DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATIONS WRITER
For a full lineup of Pratt Presents events, please visit www.pratt.edu/public-programs.
Photography by Peter Tannenbaum unless otherwise noted Inspire is a twice-yearly newsletter for donors and friends of Pratt. Please direct questions and comments to inspire@pratt.edu, or call Institutional Advancement at 718.636.3537.
THE F UND FOR PR AT T
ALUMNUS LOU AMBROGIO PAVES THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS New Leadership Society Chair Gives Back to Pratt For Lou Ambrogio (B.Arch. ’76), Pratt opened the door to a wider world. “It was at Pratt that I learned cultural sensitivity from my classmates, who came from all corners of the world,” says Ambrogio, who immigratLou Ambrogio ed to the United States from Sicily at age eleven. That cultural awareness helped him build a long and fruitful career at Pfizer, where he travelled and worked internationally for many years, eventually rising to vice president for Pfizer Global Engineering before retiring in 2013.
THE FUND FOR PRAT T LEADERSHIP SOCIETY
Pratt not only shaped Ambrogio’s views on how to work with different cultures, but also on how to bridge different disciplines. “My professors taught me to merge the creative process with analytical thinking to solve problems,” he says. “That was essential to drive innovation in today’s business environment.”
recognizes The Fund for Pratt donors of $1,000 or more, Ambrogio is determined to provide the same opportunities to current students that were afforded to him. “I want to give back to Pratt and support the important work the Institute is doing,” he says, “just as it supported me many years ago.”
In recognition of all that Pratt gave him, Ambrogio has chosen to return the favor. “Pratt provided me with scholarships, grants, and a part-time job, which made it possible for me to get my education,” he says. As a committed member and current chair of the Leadership Society, which
To learn more about Pratt’s Leadership Society and the exclusive benefits of membership, please contact Amanda Fabrizio, assistant director of alumni relations and annual giving, by phone at 718.399.4295 or by email at afabrizi@pratt.edu.
The Leadership Society recognizes donors to The Fund for Pratt who have contributed $1,000 or more in the current fiscal year. Pratt Institute is pleased to welcome the following alumni, parents, faculty, trustees, and friends who joined the Leadership Society between July 1, 2011, and September 10, 2014:
Anne N. Edwards & R. Augustus Edwards III
Andrew J. Langer ’64 & Patricia Langer
Eleanor W. Anderson ’49
David Erb & Bonnie Garmus ’16P
Alexander Antonelli ’82
Richard E. Feinbloom
Jan K. Lorenzen ’83 & Margaret Richardson ’89
Robert Bersh
Alan J. Feltoon ’74, ’08P
Barbara Z. Bordnick ’64
Robert E. Gallagher & Jane Gallagher
Charles S. Adorney ’48 Evan Akselrad
George O. Brome ’78 & Sheila Gibbs-Brome Dennis Burns & Kimberly Burns ’16P Kathryn C. Chenault (Trustee) & Kenneth I. Chenault Young Cho & Mi Cho ’16P Andrea B. Dibner-Orozco ’94 & Gerard Orozco ’97 Mark A. Dickson ’70 & Katharine Dickson
Donald M. Genaro ’57 Richard Gioscia ’84 Gerard E. Hilferty ’63 Helmut Jahn & Deborah Jahn Leevi Kiil ’63 & Mall Kiil Albert H. Konetzni Jr. Wendy A. Kvalheim ’83 & Grant Kvalheim Leslie B. Lane ’86 & Bruce Lane
Emily S. May ’99 & William May Robert M. McLane Barbara Nessim ’60 Robert M. Parnes ’69 & Gwenn Parnes
Sigmund J. Rusen ’43 Giuseppe San Filipo & Lina Phillips
LEADERSHIP SOCIET Y COMMIT TEE Lou Ambrogio ’76, Chair
Alan Schwartzman ’75 & Ruth Schwartzman
Barbara Z. Bordnick ’64, Vice Chair
Michael Simon & Margaret Simon ’17P
Madeline Burke-Vigeland AIA ’81
Harmony C. Spongberg & Stephen A. Spongberg
Alan Feltoon ’74, ’08P
Andrea B. Dibner-Orozco ’94
Dan C. Tutcher & Kim Tutcher ’10P
Theodore Liebman FAIA ’62
Mary Y. Parr Alice Phillips Swistel & Daniel Swistel ’17P
Erin G. Tutcher ’10
Gerard Orozco ’97
Jane S. Pratt
Anne H. Van Ingen (Trustee) & Wesley Haynes
Robert M. Parnes ’69
Ralph Pucci (Trustee) & Ann Pucci
Jennifer A. Walsh ’81, ’84 & Bernard M. Wharton
Donna Rich
Raymond J. Ripper ’63 & Barbara Fleming
Diana Wege Sherogan & Timothy Sherogan ’15P
Keith F. Rosen AIA ’79
Charles S. Whelan Jr. ’74
Nina Liebman
Martin E. Rich AIA ’63 Keith F. Rosen AIA ’79
We are grateful to Nina and Theodore Liebman for their service as the inaugural co-chairs of the Leadership Society Committee. If you are interested in joining The Fund for Pratt Leadership Society Committee, please contact Amanda Fabrizio, assistant director of alumni relations and annual giving, at afabrizi@pratt.edu or at 718.399.4295.