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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ENDOWMENT
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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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