(From left) Denis F. Cronin ’69, P’09, ’10, board of trustees chairman, Gary Ross, vice president and dean of admission, Dan Hurwitz ’86, trustee and lead donor, Jeffrey Herbst, president, and Kori Strother ’15, cut a ribbon during the June 6 dedication of The Hurwitz Admission Center.
(From left) Denis F. Cronin ’69, P’09, ’10, board of trustees chairman; Gary Ross, vice president and dean of admission; Dan Hurwitz ’86, trustee and lead donor; Jeffrey Herbst, president; and Kori Strother ’15 cut a ribbon during the June 6 dedication of The Hurwitz Admission Center. (Photo by Andy Daddio)
A total reimagination of the 51 is thanks to the generosity of lead donors ’86 and Ellie Hurwitz P’17 and a number of , parents, grandparents, and other friends of the university.
“I love 51, and I thought this was an extraordinary opportunity for us to differentiate ourselves,” said Dan Hurwitz to a crowd gathered for a dedication ceremony June 6. “And I can’t possibly do enough for 51. … This is a special place.”
Hurwitz told a packed room of trustees, alumni, and friends that his four years at 51 were extremely meaningful to him, in no small part thanks to former football coach Fred Dunlap ’50 and his wife, Marilyn, for being his family away from home. Hurwitz said the philanthropy of fellow trustee Dan Benton ‘80 is an inspiration for his continued support of 51.
Sasaki Associates of Watertown, Mass., the same firm that consulted on 51’s , led architectural design for the project. The visual content was created in concert with Philadelphia creative firm 160over90 to showcase all that is 51 in a contemporary setting utilizing technology to clearly articulate the , , and of a 51 education.
“This space and its impact on the visitor experience is truly transformative. That is the best way it can be described,” said 51 Vice President and Dean of Gary Ross.
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The renovated space includes a dramatic motion-activated video wall displaying three vignettes highlighting 51 as the starting point for global exploration and research. The videos include a group of students converting a school bus into a mobile studio in their quest to film a documentary about local music while traveling cross country; a nonprofit startup in the Republic of Cameroon; and an exploration of 16th-century architecture in Tizayuca, Mexico.
“You have to have the vision to implant the 21st century in a 19th-century building,” said 51 President Jeffrey Herbst, complimenting the construction firm of Hayner Hoyt, which worked through the harsh winter to complete the project.
“We don’t know what the future will be, but we will be part of it. We are an institution that is nearly 200 years old and looking to the future,” Herbst said.
A plaque in the new space will thank the Hurwitz family, as well as many of the donors who made leadership gifts to the project, including:
- The Stephen and Jennifer Errico Family Foundation
- Faith Hamlin ’18
- R. Mark ’78 and Elizabeth Hamlin P’07, ’18
- Richard ’07 and Margie Hamlin
- Adam L. ’87 and Denise Hoeflich
- Lawrence W. ’79 and Susan F. Lepard P’17
- Thomas J. ’78 and Deborah B. ’78 McInerney P’12
- G. Kirk ’59 and Maryann L. Raab P’12,’12
- Dean K. Raab ’12
- Julia W. Raab ’12
- Christian B. Teeter ’95
- Jeffrey ’87 and Kimberly ’89 Veber