A Dedicated Space By NATHAN LARICCIA | SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR
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hen Chet Claire and Hilda Stockhausen arrived at Westminster in the mid-1940s, they had no idea that they would meet, marry and—nearly 75 years later— be celebrated by the very place they would eventually call their alma mater. Dedicated on Aug. 20, the Chet and Hilda Claire StudentAthlete Lounge, made possible by gifts from the Claire family, recognizes the alumni couple who kept Westminster and Titan
athletics in their lives long after their 1949 graduation. Located in Memorial Field House, the state-of-the-art lounge is a place where Westminster studentathletes—who spend a considerable amount of time in the building—can gather to study, relax or socialize. The high-tech space includes two flat screen televisions: one displays a continuous scrolling list of student-athletes who have earned top academic honors throughout school history, while the other can be used as a projection screen for students to see athletic department announcements, watch film or even collaborate on homework assignments.
The Claire family, top, at the dedication of the Chet and Hilda Claire Student-Athlete Lounge. Top right, Hilda and Chet Claire. At left, the Claire family cuts the ceremonial ribbon with President Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson. Opposite page, from top clockwise: Mark Claire ’79; Eric Claire ’79 and nephew Lee Knight ’07; Melinda Claire Knight ’77 with Rob Klamut, granddaughter Cora and daughter-inlaw Erika; furnishings in the new lounge. 18 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
