When Baxter Vendrick, CNU's Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, saw on Facebook the miniature model of the Kennedy Center that alumnus A. J. Jelonek ('15) had built with LEGOS, he contacted him quickly. As Jelonek wrote on his blog, Director Vendrick had been "looking for something that would spark the interests of 'kids and kids at heart' on tours of the house," so he "challenged me to design a LEGO model of the Alumni House." The above photo shows A.J. standing in front of Klich Alumni House while holding the Mini Alumni House he built with 3,239 LEGO bricks.
When he was a theater major at CNU (2012-15), one role A. J. played was that of the CNU mascot, Captain Chris (above L). It is based closely on the statue (above R) of Captain Christopher Newport located at the J. Clyde Morris and Warwick Blvd. intersection, the main entrance to the University. Notice the historical inaccuracy of both the statue and the mascot: each has a right hand that the actual Captain Newport had lost years before he captained the largest of the three ships that brought the Jamestown colonists to Virginia in 1607.
In his History Scout blog, A. J. Jelonek wrote that "unlike the statue" shown above, his "LEGO Captain Chris has a hook for a hand," as did the historical Captain Newport--adding "I am pro-hook. My design, my interpretation." Notice too that Mini Captain Chris has a raised sword in his left hand, whereas the statue has its resting sword in a right hand that was not really there. A. J. described the clothing his Mini Chris is wearing thus: "Chris's cape was originally a blue Batman cape. I cut the bottom so it would be a straight line. Chris's chest piece and pants are gray because those were the colors of the walk-around mascot's clothes when I played him."
The above picture of the LEGO Alumni House on a table was taken inside the large entrance room of Klich Alumni House. Regarding the blue flags, green trees and shrubs, and blue and white foliage, A. J. wrote, "I took artistic liberties with the landscaping." He also added "an anchor" (not clearly visible here), explaining it as "a nod to the nautical ties of Christopher Newport and of the surrounding community."
If you compare Jelonek's Mini Alumni House to the Gregory P. Klich Alumni House (photo above), you will see that the LEGO house is a rather close model, given the materials and colors available. There is even the suspended light in the center of the portico (clearer in the close-up view of Captain Chris). The solid red for the bricks is at first startling, but there was no alternative, and after all, LEGOS are toys. As for the light yellow used for the columns, eaves, and so forth, that color is fairly close to the beige color in the original. For the lettering above the portico's columns--Gregory P. Klich Alumni House-- A. J. was careful to use, as he wrote, "Trajan Pro'--the official CNU font and the font used on the human-sized Alumni House."
The LEGO model is now housed in the Alumni House's Davis Library, on a lower shelf (photo above), where it will be easy for children to see it. CNU's Plant Operations built a Plexiglas case for it, to protect it and keep it clean. Learning before he built the model that the shelf, 12" deep, "could accommodate the length (25") and height (12") of the LEGO house, but not its depth (20"), A. J. "decided to take the King Solomon route: cut the design in half, and only build the front view." At some other time, he says, he might build another Mini Alumni House, which would include the back.
ANDREW ADRIAN (A.J.) JELONEK has been the Venue Coordinator at the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Artsin Washington, D.C. since 2015. A native of Leesburg, VA, A.J. received his B.A. in Theater from CNU in 2015, with a minor in dance. Truly a Captain for Life, he revisits CNU often and has provided valuable material and photographs that have resulted in articles on this website.
"To me, it's an open-and-shut case ... why the city
wanted [the Shoe Lane site] .... it was clearly an effort by
the City of Newport News to prohibit Walker from developing
a middle-class, suburban neighborhood for African-Americans."
--Phillip Hamilton to Daily Press reporter Matt Jones
The above is from "A Fervent Ally," by reporter Matt Jones, a lengthy and well-researched Daily Press article of September 1, 2019 which begins on the front page and continues on page 9, which it fills completely. The speaker interviewed, CNU history professor Phillip Hamilton, is the author of Serving the Old Dominion: A History of Christopher Newport University, 1958-2011. The topic is "The Shoe Lane Controversy, 1961-63" (pages 34-46), an historic event in which Newport News native William Walker Jr. (1911-2004), a well-educated African-American leader, played a major role.
At my request, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Katie Monteith took the above close-up picture of the "Walker's Green" historical marker. It is located close to the street on the 72 Shoe Lane site now occupied by CNU's Klich Alumni House. The grassy area between the street and the Alumni House has been named "Walker's Green" to honor the memory of William Walker Jr. The marker was unveiled and dedicated on the afternoon of September 20, 2019. It accurately describes the major facts of Mr. Walker's life and achievements.
As his wife looked on, Ambassador Howard Walker (L) and CNU President Paul Trible (R) unveiled the marker. Watching at right was CNU history professor Brian Puaca, who led the movement to honor William Walker Jr. CNU photo,
In his September 21 Daily Press story "CNU unveils marker for former board member who fought purchase of campus," Matt Jones wrote that the ceremony was attended by members of CNU's Board of Visitors, the Newport News City Council and School Board, and others. Speakers included Sheriff Gabe Morgan (on CNU's Board), President Paul Trible, and the son of William Walker Jr.--Howard Walker, a former United States Ambassador, who said his father "reconciled with the university" because of "a broadening of his interests and a realization of the value that the college posed for his community"(Jones article).
The photo above, showing Howard Walker and President Trible shaking hands after the unveiling, as Mrs. Walker watched, is also courtesy of CNU photographers. The one below is a January 2015 Site Map provided by CNU's Executive Vice President and alumnus William (Bill) Brauer ('77)-- sent to me in April of 2015 for my use in website articles about the not-yet constructed alumni house.
This map of the corner of Shoe Lane and Moore's Lane shows the proposed location (bright blue) of the alumni house. The number 72 identifies the long narrow lot that held the home (under that number) of William Walker Jr. and his family. As the map shows, it was still there in 2015. Built in 1959, it was a single family home of 2,429 square feet on a 33,106 square foot lot. It had 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms and was a one-story brick rancher with attached garage (www.redfin.com).
Having lived only two years in this comfortable middle-class new home, Walker, like many black home owners in that area, feared losing his property to the city. Although Newport News had two choices of roughly 60-acre properties available--the second, on Warwick Blvd., where Todd Stadium now is--the City Council seemed determined to purchase the Shoe Lane property, even though it would cost twice as much as the other one. Shoe Lane residents felt racism was the chief motive, especially since the city knew that William Walker Jr., at age 48 highly successful in real estate, wanted to build middle class homes for black families on those acres.
In 1961-63 the City of Newport News and the African-American home owners on Shoe Lane fought over the 34 separately owned parcels that became the core campus of CNC. College administrators reassured the residents already on Shoe Lane that their homes would not be taken, a promise that lasted until the twenty-first century.
This aerial view of CNC shows that the homes which were on Shoe Lane in 1961-63 were still there when this undatedDaily Press photo was made (1968 or '69). Look at the top left. Between the divided driveway into the College and Moore's Lane (at the very top), you can see five homes. The fourth one up from CNC's entrance was 72 Shoe Lane, still occupied by the Walker family. I joined CNC's faculty in the fall of 1963 and stayed three decades. I well remember all the houses on the right side of Shoe Lane, from Warwick Blvd. to Moore's Lane. Most people driving to and from Christopher Newport had no idea who lived in those houses, nor what color they were.
SOURCES: Personal knowledge, except where otherwise mentioned.
additional details and editing by A. Jane Chambers
After reading my website article Racism and CNC's Shoe Lane Site: The History behind the Walker's Green Marker, CNU alumnus A. J. Jelonek ('15) sent me three photographs he took of the Walker home and site while a student at CNU and some comments about them.
The above 2012 photo taken by A. J. Jelonek of the front of William Walker Jr.'s house shows the addition of a CNU mailbox in the front, and nearer the house, a CNU sign reading "University Mail Room and Residential Housing Support." A. J. wrote, "During my freshman year (2010-2011), CNU used Walker's former home for the University's Counseling Services. The next year, Counseling moved into its current home in the Freeman Center. The house was then used by the University Mail Room staff and by Residential Housing Support staff."
This second photo, also taken in 2012, shows the back of the Walker house, with a white mail truck parked behind it. To take this picture, alumnus Jelonek had to go to the third floor of nearby McMurran Hall. The cars are in Parking Lot M. The not-yet-built Alumni House would face the larger part of Lot M.
This third photo, A. J. wrote, "was taken June 2015, after the demolition of the Walker house, but before construction started on the Alumni House." The paved driveway once going to the attached garage of the Walker house became the entrance for the construction workers and their heavy equipment. The large graveled area, where the house had stood, became the space for construction offices, storage of tools and materials, and workers' parking. The large group of trees beyond the driveway and gravel became the site of the Alumni House.
Thank you, A. J., for this contribution to CNC/CNU history!
READERS: We welcome YOUR historically interesting pictures of the Christopher Newport campus (and/or its people) also.
ANDREW ADRIAN (A.J.) JELONEK is the Venue Coordinator at the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. A native of Leesburg, VA, he received his B.A. in Theater from CNU on May 9, 2015, with a minor in dance. He appeared onstage in various CNU theater productions, was a brother of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theater honors society, and served as the president of Initiative Student Theatre and the secretary of the Film Club of CNU. Maybe one day he will also be performing at the Kennedy Center.
The above photo was taken from the McKnight Conservatory, the largely glassed-in room on the north end of Christopher Newport's Gregory P. Klich Alumni House. The room was named in honor of Matt and Terri McKnight, who were Alumni House Leadership Donors in 2014, having contributed $25,000 or more to the alumni house building fund. The view through the open door is that of a new addition to the Alumni House, a spacious veranda named the Terri M. McKnight ('86) Veranda.
In 2018, Matt McKnight decided to surprise his wife with this veranda in her name--a second major contribution to her alma mater and that of three of their children. Construction began in October and was completed in early December. A private dedication ceremony to honor Terri was held on December 8, attended by CNU President Paul Trible and wife, Rosemary, Alumni Relations officers, and close friends and family of the McKnights.
The dedication ceremony included remarks by President Trible and Matt McKnight, champagne, and many photographs. Above left are Terri and Matt McKnight at the fountain. Above right are the couple at the outside entrance to the veranda, marked by a plaque bearing its name.
The photo above was taken looking west, toward Moore's Lane. The one below was taken looking east, toward parking lot M. The veranda's paving is uniform, but the sun makes it look as if some of it is just cement.
Below is a close-up view of the propane gas operated fire pit and the fountain, neither of which were turned on for these pictures. During events held here, cushions will be provided for more comfortable seating in the wrought-iron chairs.
This spacious new area will be used for many purposes, both university-related events and private events. It will be an ideal location for sit-down luncheons in pleasant weather. It was designed also to be tented for private events or events occurring when weather outlooks are uncertain.
This closing photo shows Baxter Vendrick, our Director of the Office of Alumni Relations (center) with the McKnights (left) and some of their close friends who joined them on December 8, 2018, to surprise and honor Terri McKnight and to celebrate yet another gift to CNU. All of us in the Christopher Newport family are fortunate to have such loyal supporters as the McKnights.
The weather was spring-like and the crowd enthusiastic as alumni from the 1960s to the 2016s, Christopher Newport staff, and others gathered at 4:00 p.m. in front of the Gregory P. Klich Alumni House. Located at 72 Shoe Lane on the CNU campus, the first building ever to be named in honor of a Christopher Newport alumnus was ready to open its doors to them all. And all were eager to enter and explore it.
The opening speeches were brief and informative. CNU President Paul Trible greeted everyone, introduced CNU's Rector of the Board of Visitors, Scott Millar, and then turned the program over to Scott, who is also an alumnus (Class of 1985). This photo of Scott speaking (right), which was taken by our webmaster, Ron Lowder, also shows CNU's First Lady, Rosemary Trible (seated) and Alumni Relations staff (standing). Scott also introduced the audience to the building's namesake, Gregory P. Klich, and his daughter, Hannah.
Having neither a bow nor a stern, the building was christened on each side, simultaneously, by Mr. Klich and his daughter, Hannah (left above) and by President and Mrs. Trible (right above). As the dripping bottles show, all went well. Only the corner bricks were drenched. Next came the ceremony of the ribbon cutting.
Various dignitaries and Alumni Relations Office personnel, each armed with scissors (left above) lined up for the ceremony. The close-up of some of them (right above) shows (L - R), Mr. Klich and daughter, Rector Scott Millar, and President and Mrs. Trible--all ready to cut the ribbon.
BOOM! went the cannons and down rained the streamers--blue, silver, and gold. It was a moment of both surprise and joy! This picture was made by our multi-talented First Decader and webmaster Ron Lowder.
Following the initial rush to tour the inside of the building, there was some quiet time outside during which a few people posed for pictures. The Tribles wanted a photo with Lois Wright, who was the first and only degree recipient in the first year (1961-62) of what was then Christopher Newport College of the College of William and Mary. They asked me to get into the picture also (below L). The photographer was current student Benjamin Leistensnider. Meanwhile, a CNU staff member photographed Mr. Klich and his daughter, Hannah, with the University's mascot, Captain Chris (below R).
I was amazed at how fast the work on the interior of the Alumni House had proceeded. Much of the credit goes to Rosemary Trible, who was in charge of all the furniture, rugs, and general decorations. The following are two views of the Reception Hall, taken from the second floor corridor.
The above view is looking east, toward the front entrance of the house. In addition to the staircase, there is also an elevator located here. The windows above the front entrance enclose part of the second floor Conference Room, which is windowed both inside and outside.
The view below is looking west. On the second floor, located at the back (the bright area) is the West Upper Terrace, an outside place to enjoy during pleasant weather. Located also on the second floor are the offices and work spaces of the Alumni Relations Office personnel.
The remaining photos here are just a sample of the numerous things you might see while touring the house. There will also be rotating displays of memorabilia as time passes, covering the five plus decades of the history of our institution.
Appropriately, a portrait of Mr. Klich (left above) is on the north wall of the Reception Hall. To learn more about this major benefactor, for whom the building is named, go to HOME page here and the link Alumni House in the left margin. You can also find there, in the third article, detailed floor plans for the building.
The compass (right) is one of many nautical-themed items on display in the house, reminders of the Jamestown founders of 1607, led by Captain Christopher Newport.
This first picture (above left) was made inside the Library, which is to the left of the Reception Hall. The north wall of this room has a large built-in bookcase with seating. The lady with the short dark hair is Ellen Babb Melvin, one of my students in the mid-1960s and an active CNC First Decader. She just happened to be looking at CNC's 1966 Tridentyearbook when a CNU staff member took this picture. Ellen did not know the blonde lady beside her, but remembers that the woman told her she was an alumna of the 1990s.
The china plate (above right) is a souvenir from CNC's 25th Anniversary celebration. The inscription below the ship reads: THE SUSAN CONSTANT Flagship of the captain for whom Christopher Newport College is named. Below that is the College seal.
It was a pleasant surprise to see that same CNC seal (minus the anchor) on the wooden backs of chairs around the table in the first floor Conference Room, the glassed-in room next to the Library (above left). It was pleasing also, but not surprising, to see Dr. Lois Wright's unique diploma on display in the Sitting Room, which is to the right of the Reception Hall.
CNU officials have guaranteed that Dr. Wright's diploma will never be removed from the Alumni House. How many institutions of higher learning not only have an original first diploma to show, but also a first diploma that was the only diploma for the first year of their existence? In 1962, Lois was CNC's graduating class of one! Her article on this subject is published in our bookMemories of Christopher Newport College: The First Decade, 1961-1971 (Hallmark, 2008). Expect to see a few copies of this first book about Christopher Newport on display in the Alumni House Library.
Klich Alumni House is the working home (M - F) of the Alumni Relations Office staff. Students past and present, their families and friends, and the community as a whole are welcome to visit the House on those days. Someone will be stationed on the first floor to welcome visitors during normal working hours. On weekends, events may be scheduled such as wedding receptions, class reunions, family reunions, club reunions and so forth. Arrangements may be made through the University.Except where otherwise noted, all photos in this article were taken by CNU staff photographers.
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Published March 3, 2017
72 Shoe Lane Opens February 24:
Alumni House Address and Name
Honor Christopher Newport's History
by A. Jane Chambers
The Grand Opening of Gregory P. Klich Alumni House
will begin at 4:00 P.M. on Friday, February 24, 2017, by invitation only. Christopher Newport alumni of all five decades will receive their invitations the week of February 6 and should RSVP no later than February 15. Please remember to RSVP so that Food Service personnel will know how many light refreshments to prepare and Alumni Relations staff will have your name tag ready when you check in.
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Shoe Lane. Shoe U. Sound familiar? When Gregory P. Klich (pronounced "Click") earned his bachelor's degree in governmental administration at Christopher Newport College in 1984, the college's address was 50 Shoe Lane--as it had been since 1964 and would continue to be until the 1990s. Now, over three decades later, CNU's Alumni House, named in honor of alumnus Klich, will have, appropriately, an address on Shoe Lane. The map below explains why and also helps pinpoint the location of the building and parking lot.
CNU document courtesy of CNU Vice President and alumnus William (Bill) Brauer.
The site map above, with lot numbers, shows that CNU's Alumni House (blue image) is located on Lot 72 on Shoe Lane, previously occupied by a home (brown image) with the address 72 Shoe Lane. That property was purchased by CNU and demolished in 2015, when planning began for the Alumni House, which will now have the address 72 Shoe Lane. Note also Lot 70, which is the entrance to Parking Lot M.
CNU hopes soon to own lots 12, 10, and 8 on Moore's Lane—particularly 12 and 10, which would provide a large backyard for the Klich Alumni House, with more space for outdoor activities and possibly, sometime in the future, room for a westward addition to the building. Lot 68 on Shoe Lane is now CNU property. That house has been razed and that space will probably be used to add spaces to Parking Lot M. Much of the current Lot M will be turned into a front yard for the house.
Mr. Klich (L) accepting the new painting from Baxter Vendrick, Director of Alumni Relations, and Rosemary Trible. Daily Press photo by Aileen Devlin.
Saturday afternoon, October 29, 2016, was an historical moment. For the very first time, a building at CNU was named for a Christopher Newport alumnus, Gregory P. Klich ('84). At the conclusion of the Alumni House Naming Ceremony, a framed copy of a modified painting of the building, with Gregory P. Klich Alumni House in gold letters, was presented to Mr. Klich (photo above). Earlier in the ceremony, while listening to CNU Rector and alumnus Scott Millar give a short biography of Gregory Klich, I realized that this gentleman was, appropriately so, very much a typical CNC alumnus of those Shoe Lane decades. Like almost all of our students of that period, he was not born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, but achieved his success by hard work. He began a career at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, by operating rides. After earning his bachelor's degree, he ultimately moved up at Busch Gardens to a position as vice president. Then he went into the real estate business, as a developer and investor in the Peninsula area.
Mr. Klich has supported his alma mater generously for decades, including endowing the Klich Award--a $5000 gift each year to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average.In his short address to the audience at the Naming Ceremony, I was struck by his modesty. I knew his gift for the alumni house was magnanimous, but he never mentioned that, and I knew CNU had agreed never to make the amount public. In his brief speech he said that he had been motivated by the well-publicized message to CNU Alumni to "lead a life of significance" and felt that message was a call for him to "leave a legacy" at CNU "to help promote honor, service, and leadership" in alumni.
Gregory Klich addressing the audience at the Naming Ceremony on Oct. 29, 2016. Daily Press photo by Aileen Devlin.
Both the name and the address of the Alumni House seem to me very appropriate--each in its way honoring the history and students of Christopher Newport's beginning decades.
A Brief Orientation and Floor Plans
Below are the final plans (dated 1/13/15) for the first and second floors of the House. The first floor (plan below), with its flow-through pattern, is designed to serve groups of all sizes. It can comfortably accommodate up to 300 people. The spacious Reception Hall, with its slightly curved staircase, is open to the second floor. As in all CNU buildings, there is also an elevator. The entire first floor will have 12-foot ceilings and very tall windows. The Library (left) and Sitting Room (right) will also have gas log fireplaces. The Catering Prep Room will be fully supplied for cooking and serving meals. Rest rooms will be on both floors of the building, on the west side. Notice too, outside the house, the four ramps (marked DN) left and right of the Portico, leading to the glassed-in Conference Room and Conservatory.
The Alumni House was designed to serve many purposes. On weekdays it will be used by Alumni Relations personnel, with offices on the second floor (plan below), and by those who need to use the various rooms on both floors for such purposes as research, committee meetings and gatherings of all sorts. It will also be open weekdays to visitors, with a greeter present to show them around and answer questions. On weekends the house will be available for social gatherings such as intimate family events, class and club reunions, and receptions of all sorts. The 50th Reunion of the Class of 1967 will be held here.
At the Groundbreaking Ceremony onSaturday, October 25, 2014, Scott Millar spoke of another major purpose of the Alumni House:“It is here that we will preserve the archives, display the memorabilia, and tell the stories of this remarkable institution. It is this legacy that our Alumni House will honor--the story of where this University has been and where it is going will be a permanent, a constant reminder of what we embrace and hold dear about CNU . . . .The Alumni House library will tell the CNU story. From the First Decaders to our most recent graduates, our history will be shared. The House will feature a unique collection of permanent and changing exhibits reflecting our heritage, transformation and excellence as an academic institution.”
The entire first floor, not just its library, will have a number of permanent exhibits, including Dr. Lois Wright's unique 1962 diploma (the only degree awarded the opening year) and photos of Christopher Newport's presidents. The leaders of theCNC First Decaders have also proposed a permanent gift. No decision has yet been made about that proposal, however. Stay tuned!
Scott Millar, Rector of CNU's Board of Visitors, gave the order: "Drum roll, please!" The drum beat began, the ropes were pulled, and down fell the black cloth, revealing the words "Gregory P. Klich Alumni House" (CNU photo above). It was about 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2016, during Homecoming Weekend, and history was happening. For the very first time, a building was being named for a Christopher Newport alumnus.
The audience applauded while standing before the building still under construction.
After pointing out Gregory Klich [pronounced "Click "], standing in the front row with his daughter and father, Rector Millar gave us a short biography of him. Klich earned his B.A. in governmental administration at CNC in 1984. Before then, he had begun a career at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg--operating rides. Like almost all of our students of the early decades, he apparently was not born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, but achieved his success by hard work. Following his degree, he ultimately moved up at Busch Gardens to a position as vice president. Then he went into the real estate business, as a developer and investor in the Peninsula area.
We learned also that Mr. Klich has supported his alma mater generously for several decades, including endowing the Klich Award--a $5000 gift at each commencement to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average. I have often watched students receiving that framed award , but not until Millar's speech did I know the monetary amount of it.
As Klich addressed the audience, I was struck by his modesty. I knew his gift for the alumni house was magnanimous, but he never mentioned the amount in his speech; in fact, I later learned, he had asked that it not be made public. His speech was very short. He said that he had been motivated by the well-publicized message to CNU Alumni to "lead a life of significance" and felt that message was a call for him to "leave a legacy" at CNU "to help promote honor, service, and leadership" in alumni.
Outstanding Alumnus Klich addressing the audience at the Naming Ceremony. Daily Press photo by Aileen Devlin.
CNU President Paul Trible spoke last, keeping alumnus Klich near him as he expressed gratitude for his generous contributions to the University. Trible then called forward Alumni Relations Director Baxter Vendrick and Mrs. Trible, who jointly presented the above-shown gift to Klich: a new rendering of the soon-to-be-completed alumni house, with the name Gregory P. Klich Alumni House on it.
The above CNU photo is a close-up of the new painting that shows the building's name. Completion date is set for end of December. The Grand Opening is tentatively scheduled for February. Stay tuned here for further details!
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Published November 11, 2016
Alumni House Column Signing
and First Floor Tour:
September 16, 2016
by A. Jane Chambers
with photos courtesy of CNU's
Office of Alumni Relations
"Leave Your Mark" read the emailed invitation. Equipped with blue felt-tipped pens, several hundred did on Friday afternoon, September 16, 2016. The event, hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations, drew a crowd of alumni, faculty, staff and others to Christopher Newport's Alumni House to sign the support beams for the four columns not yet installed.
CNU's Dean Dr. Robert Colvin leaving his mark.
The above photo taken from the building's second floor shows some of the attendees signing the beams, which were painted white so the signatures would show for the short time they are visible. The email accompanying the invitation stated: " Your signature will forever more be a part of the Alumni House (it will just be enclosed in a beautiful column)." Rain storms such as those we've been having since September 16th might wash away many of these autographs, however, well before they can be covered by the decorative columns.
However temporary the signatures might be, the event was a pleasant one, with the Alumni Relations Office doing a fine job of providing everything from name tags and refreshments (always excellent) to personal attention. The photo below left shows Dr. Sean Heuvel, Chair of the 1961 Historical Preservation Club, checking in with Katie Monteith. The other photo shows me signing a beam which Kay Rinfrette is kindly holding in place for me.
More exciting than the signing was, for me, the opportunity to go inside the building itself. Having virtually memorized the floor plans, I could see how every niche of the first floor was shaping up. I was impressed by the high ceilings and tall windows but disappointed to learn that plans for second floor terraces above the first floor's glassed conference room and conservatory had to be cancelled for lack of funds. The west upper terrace at the back will be built, however.
Lack of both the staircase and the elevator kept me from exploring the second floor, but the six members of the Alumni Relations Office--young and nimble--found a construction ladder and scurried up there. In the above photo, they are looking out the front windows of the second floor conference room. Their entire office will be housed on this floor. In the middle window are the full-time staff (L - R): Katie Monteith (officer), Baxter Vendrick (director), and Monica Hill (assistant director). In the other windows are the staff's student interns.
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NOTES: (1) To see the Alumni House floor plans, open the Alumni House tab in the left margin of this page. The first article (What the Alumni House CameraDoes and Does Not Show) has the plans. (2) To access the camera focused on the house, click here:http://alumnihousecamera.cnu.edu/. (3) Ten more photographs from this event are on the Christopher Newport Alumni Society Facebook page.
On April 29th we published the exciting news from CNU Vice President Bill Brauer that the University had installed a camera focusing 24/7 on the Alumni House construction site. Some readers have since said the house seems disappointingly small. The problem is the location of the camera, which allows us to view only about 40% of what is there.
The only way to film a full frontal view of the building (like that in the painting above) would be to place the camera in Parking Lot M, which Mr. Brauer said was not possible. Over a dozen locations for the camera were considered, he explained, before the decision was made to place the camera on McMurran Hall.
To understand what you can see and what you can't, compare the floor plans above and below with the camera's image. What you can see on the first floor (plan above) are (L - R) the front of and entrance into the Reception Hall, then the Sitting Room, and finally the Conservatory--the semi-circular room that will be mostly glass. What you can see on the second floor (plan below) are (far L - R) the support beams for the Portico, behind and under which will be Conference Room 2, then spaces for Offices 3 and 4, and finally the North Upper Terrace. Also in the camera image, you can see on the left the elevator shaft (tall cinder block structure) and on the right the exit staircase (larger cinder block structure).
What the camera does not show is all the rest of the first floor--the Library, the glassed Conference Room, the curved stairs to the second floor, plus all the things on the back side of the house, including the Catering Prep. Room, coat closet, 2 vestibules and 2 restrooms--and all the rest of the second floor--the South Upper Terrace, Offices 1 & 2 , upper stairs, and everything at the back on that floor: corridors, 2 restrooms, 2 vestibules, and the West Upper Terrace.
The camera cannot show it all, but our Alumni House is emerging according to plan, as a beautiful, functional, and welcoming 7,000 foot building. As VP Bill Brauer said, "If you want to see more than the camera shows, then come on over to the campus and see it for yourself!"
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Alumni House Photo Update:
Preparing to Build
by A. Jane Chambers
with Photos by Jan Giguere Clarke (AA, 68)
and CNU Photographers
CNU document courtesy of CNU Vice President William (Bill) Brauer.
The site map above, with numbered parcels, is a helpful orientation tool. Lot 72 is where CNU's Alumni House (blue image at the top) is being built. The CNU-owned house at the bottom was demolished in 2015. The cement driveway to that property, beginning at Shoe Lane, is currently being used for transportation to and from the construction lot through a wide gate, the only entrance to the site, which is closed and locked at the end of each working day. To the right of Lot 72 is the current CNU Parking Lot M. Parcel 70 of it will be the Shoe Lane entrance to both Lot M and the Alumni House.
CNU hopes soon to own lots 12, 10, and 8—particularly 12 and 10, which would allow a “backyard” for the Alumni House, providing more space for outdoor activities and possibly, sometime in the future, room for a westward addition to the building. Lot 68 is now CNU property. That house has been razed and that space will probably be used to add spaces to Parking Lot M.
The first sign that construction would soon begin occurred this past fall, when Whiting-Turner Construction Co. erected a fence around the site, complete with several signs on it announcing the project and the expected completion date (above L). Since the metal fence is covered with green mesh, it is extremely difficult to see through it. Taking pictures is challenging. First Decader Jan Giguere found it easy enough to photograph a sign in late December, 2015, but in early January, 2016, she had to go to the third floor in McMurran Hall to get this bird's eye view inside the construction site (above R). Visible top right is the back of one of the houses (probably on Lot 8) that CNU hopes eventually to buy and demolish.
As site preparation began, trees had to be sacrificed, as shown in the left photo, posted January 8 on the CNU Alumni Society's Facebook page, and heavy equipment had to be moved in to clear the ground, as seen in the right photo, posted January 13 on the Alumni Society's Facebook page. Visible in this latter picture is the paved driveway mentioned in my opening paragraph, which will be in constant use during construction and is shown here being extended in length with gravel. The buildings in the background are (L) Potomac River Hall (a dorm) and McMurran Hall (R), a classroom building.
These last two photographs were taken by Jan Clarke, who managed to get inside the open gate on Shoe Lane while workers were there and to take these pictures and others without being chased out. The construction company's trailers (L, with the company's logo) are located to the left of the cement driveway, near Shoe Lane. The last photo (R) shows two large storage containers being put into position next to the end of the second office trailer from the street. Comparing this picture with photo 2 (site view from McMurran Hall) shows the exact location of the two green containers. Jan believes that "these willbe used to store equipment, tools and supplies in preparation for the actual construction. I don't think they are dumpsters because the ends are double doors and (as far as I can tell) the tops are solid." I think she is correct. Dumpsters for construction debris are also generally placed much closer to the actual construction site than these units are. This photo also shows the gate, here open, that is the sole entrance to the construction site.
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Published February 12, 2016
Composite Map:
CNC Campus with
CNU Center Campus Overlay
By A. Jane Chambers
MAP provided by Bill Brauer
At my request, CNU’s Executive Vice President, William L. (Bill) Brauer, has provided this composite map, which accurately shows exactly where the original CNC campus was (black & white aerial photo) in relation to the current CNU campus. I asked that the map be restricted to the area that housed the old campus, so it does not show all of the present campus.
The divided road (double white lines) at the bottom right corner is The Avenue of the Arts, the main entrance to CNU. It begins at the Warwick Blvd. – J. Clyde Morris Blvd. intersection and curves around behind Ferguson Center (on the site of what was Ferguson High School). The roundabout (white circle) is where Shoe Lane once was. The part of Shoe Lane to the right, which went to Warwick Blvd. (double yellow lines, top right), is gone, but the part to the left is still there.
The Avenue of the Arts ends at Trible Library (blue building 28), which sits precisely where Smith Hall and Smith Library once sat. Smith, completed in 1967, was CNC’s fourth building of its first decade. The whitish rectangle on the right end, next to a white roadway, is the Smith Library addition of 1979 that has been kept (so far) as part of Trible Library.
Left of the library is David Student Union (blue building 7). You can clearly see that it sits where over half of the ellipse was—the almost circular drive that originally served also as the faculty/staff parking area. You can see too the original Shoe Lane entrance and driveway to the campus, which doubled as a parallel parking area for the students.
Directly facing David (7) is the new science building, Forbes Hall (blue building 9), named after the mother of the late Dr. Sarah Forbes, a major CNU benefactor who left millions to the University. At the right end of Forbes, on the Great Lawn, you can see the 3 roofs of Christopher Newport Hall, the first CNC Building, opened in Fall, 1964, and demolished in 2008.
Blue building 11, behind Forbes Hall, is the 2-story part of Gosnold Hall,still being used to some degree, primarily for storage. Between it and Forbes you can see the roofs of the rest of Gosnold. CNC’s first science building, completed in Fall, 1965, Gosnold will eventually be razed.
Blue building 25, left of Gosnold (11), is Ratcliffe Hall, created by renovating and extending the original Ratcliffe Gymnasium, CNC’s third building, completed in Fall, 1967, shortly before completion of Smith. Beneath the number 25 you can see the original building with its square roof. Ratcliffe Hall primarily houses numerous offices, including many offices of faculty members.
To the right of Forbes is Luter Hall (building 16), which houses the School of Business. CNU’s close connection with Smithfield Foods is evident in the name of this building and Pope Chapel (number 22). Both Mr. Luter and Mr. Pope have donated millions to the University. A section of the front of Luter, in the area where the number 16 is, sits on the site of what was Wingfield Hall, the 5th and last building of CNC’s first decade, completed in 1970.
The map shows other buildings erected in subsequent decades—for example, the New Science Building (completed in 1984) behind Newport Hall, which is visible under the right wing of Forbes (9) and the first 4-story building (1980), the Administration Building (blue 2). Recently completed on the site of that Administration Building is the soon-to-open Student Success Center, which (wisely so) will be named Christopher Newport Hall.
WILLIAM L. (BILL) BRAUER has a special connection with the people and history of the early decades of Christopher Newport. His father, Harrol A. Brauer, Jr., served the College from 1973 on the President’s Advisory Council, appointed by then President James C. Windsor. The year that Bill earned his BA in Business at CNC, 1977, his father became the first Rector of the newly independent College. In 1978, Bill’s wife, Michelle, also earned her degree at CNC, in Management Information Science (MIS). Bill’s service to Christopher Newport began in 1992, when he became VP of Administration and Finance. He has held the post of Executive Vice President since 1996, appointed at the beginning of Paul Trible’s Presidency.
Vice President Brauer (R) poses with former CNC President James C. Windsor (L) at Commencement 2014. Official CNU photo.
May 8, 2015
Christopher Newport’s Alumni House, Part 1:
The House and Its Location
By A. Jane Chambers
“We will have a place on this campus where we can truly say
‘Welcome Home’ to all generations of Captains.”
— Alumnus Scott Millar, Groundbreaking Remarks
I believe that most us who attended or taught at CNC in its first, second, and/or third decades—or even its fourth decade, never expected to see an alumni house at Christopher Newport. But what seemed for decades improbable, if not impossible, is now becoming a reality. On October 25, 2014, during Homecoming, the groundbreaking ceremony for CNU’s alumni house was held. The site is now being cleared, as weather permits, and Executive Vice President Bill Brauer says that builders are expected to submit their bids for the project during February, construction should begin in April or early May, and the house should be completed by the summer of 2016.
Above is the final watercolor rendering of the exterior of the 7,000- foot Alumni House, provided by Glave & Holmes Architecture, Richmond, VA. In his Groundbreaking Ceremony Remarks, Scott Millar (’85), a leader in the Alumni House campaign, said, “The house will feature the grandeur of our Georgian-style architecture, but retain the charm and the warm welcome of a comfortable residential home."
The house will face east. Like all buildings at CNU, it will be handicap accessible. Notice the ramps left and right of the front portico, which is itself low to the ground, with only two steps. Walkways will wrap around each end of the house, with exterior entrances south and north to the two glassed rooms, the Conference Room (left) and the Conservatory (right), both of them also accessible from inside the building.
Glave & Holmes, an award-winning and nationally recognized firm, has designed buildings at UVA, Washington & Lee, Radford, Randolph-Macon, and the University of Richmond. CNU buildings previously designed by the firm include Warwick River and Rappahannock River Residence Halls, The Freeman Center, McMurran Hall, Forbes Hall, Pope Chapel, and The Luter School of Business.
Above and below are the final plans (dated 1/13/15) for the first and second floors. The first floor, with its flow-through pattern, is designed to serve groups of all sizes. It can comfortably accommodate up to 300 people. The spacious Reception Hall, with its slightly curved staircase, is open to the second floor. As in all CNU buildings, there is also an elevator. The entire first floor will have 12-foot ceilings and very tall windows. The Library (left) and Sitting Room (right) will also have gas log fireplaces. The Catering Prep Room will be fully supplied for cooking and serving meals. Rest rooms will be on both floors of the building, on the west side. Notice too, outside the house, the four ramps (marked DN) left and right of the Portico, leading to the glassed-in Conference Room and Conservatory.
Did you notice the banisters on the tops of the glassed-in rooms in the picture of the exterior of the house? A major feature of the second story of the Alumni House will be three terraces—the third (west) not visible in the watercolor image (photo 1), but shown in this floor plan. Wide corridors will provide easy access to all three terraces, which I expect will be popular places on balmy spring and fall days and evenings. This floor will also house the Alumni Relations Office, whose personnel will have offices as well as a Work Room and Conference Room—the latter also available for others to use, such as those planning Class Reunions and other events.
The site map above shows where the Alumni House will be located, just off Shoe Lane and near McMurran Hall. The front of it will face faculty parking lot M, entered from Shoe Lane. According to Vice President Brauer, “Parking for the Alumni House will be in this lot since most Alumni events will be after hours or on weekends, when spaces in this lot are readily available. We will also reserve 4 or 5 spaces in this lot for visitors to the Alumni House, immediately in front of the main entrance.” He imagines that eventually CNU will “add parking between the Alumni House and Shoe Lane.” Until then, that strip will be an attractive grassy area, providing an area for outdoor events.
Regarding the numbered houses on this map, Brauer explains that “number 72 no longer exists. This area will serve as the construction site for the contractor.” CNU hopes to own properties 12, 10, and 8 before long—particularly 12 and 10, which would allow a “backyard” for the Alumni House, providing more space for outdoor activities and, if needed, a westward addition to the Alumni House.
PART 2 of this series will be published on this website on February 13th. Meanwhile, if you have questions and/or comments about the Alumni House, please send them to me at cncmemories61_71@yahoo.comasap—if possible, before February 9.
Published January 30, 2015
Christopher Newport’s Alumni House, Part 2:
How It Will Be Used
By A. Jane Chambers
“Far from just honoring our heritage, our dream for this Alumni House is that it will be a place of connection – engaging, encouraging and empowering past, present and future generations of Captains.”
N. Scott Millar
Alumni House Groundbreaking Ceremony Remarks
Saturday, October 25, 2014
CNU photo of Alumni House Groundbreaking Ceremony beside Lot M, Shoe Lane, on 10/25/14.
The Alumni House has been designed to serve many purposes. On weekdays it will be used by Alumni Relations personnel, with offices on the second floor, and by those who need to use the various rooms on both floors for such purposes as research, committee meetings and gatherings of all sorts. It will also be open weekdays to visitors, with a greeter present to show them around and answer questions. On weekends the house will be available for social gatherings such as intimate family events, class and club reunions, and receptions of all sorts. Alumni weddings in Pope Chapel could be followed by receptions in the Alumni House, which will hold up to 300 people. The First Decaders might have a sit-down Sunday lunch one year in the house instead of their usual picnic—or might hold their annual picnic on the House lawn.
Looking at these floor plans above, one can easily imagine how several events could take place at the same time on the two floors, making maximum use of the facility. A local club might be having a luncheon meeting in the Conservatory (or the Sitting Room and Conservatory combined), while on the opposite side of the first floor, officers of a CNU club are meeting in the downstairs Conference Room to plan an event, and upstairs an Alumni Society committee is meeting in that Conference Room. As Scott Millar said at the Groundbreaking, this house “will be a perfect location for receptions and reunions, gatherings and celebrations” of all sorts—but especially those reflecting “Captains pride and Captains spirit.”
In pleasant weather, the three upstairs terraces and the lawn will no doubt be popular gathering places. Initially, the lawn will be that part of lot 72 (see map) between the House and Shoe Lane. It will be landscaped, perhaps with places to sit, and will have room enough for alumni and children (or grandchildren) to toss footballs or play other outdoor games. According to Vice President Brauer, “Ultimately” there will be a much bigger lawn “between the Alumni House and North Moore’s Lane,” once CNU is able to acquire lots 10 & 12 (see map). Large outdoor events could then be held, and part of lot 72 might be used for an expanded parking lot.
Alumni House Site
At the Groundbreaking, Scott Millar spoke of another major purpose of the Alumni House: “It is here that we will preserve the archives, display the memorabilia, and tell the stories of this remarkable institution. It is this legacy that our Alumni House will honor - the story of where this University has been and where it is going will be a permanent - a constant reminder of what we embrace and hold dear about CNU.” In speaking further about the history and memorabilia, he said, “The Alumni House library will tell the CNU story. From the First Decaders to our most recent graduates, our history will be shared. The House will feature a unique collection of permanent and changing exhibits reflecting our heritage, transformation and excellence as an academic institution.”
To my questions—“What will the permanent exhibits be? Will they include Lois Wright's unique 1962 diploma? Photos of the CNC/CNU presidents? What else?”—Director of Alumni Relations Amie Graham Dale wrote: “As you suggested I can imagine that Lois Wright's diploma and the presidential portraits will be on permanent display, as well as several displays covering the University's founding, its timeline and physical transformation. However, we are still not that far in the planning phase yet and our group still has a bit more ground to cover before those decisions are made.” “Our group” is the recently formed 1961 Historical Preservation Club. At present, First Decaders Ron Lowder and Janet Giguere Clarke and I are members.
Materials in the changing, or rotating exhibits, will be handled as carefully as those on permanent display. Amie Dale explains: “There will be a searchable digital archive located within the Alumni House, but the bulk of the physical archive will be housed and cared for by our archival librarians in the Trible Library, led very ably by Amy Boykin who is assisted by Christina Luers. This will allow the centralized and proper handling of our alumni treasures for years to come. As they are needed for changing collections, they will be checked out of the archive and placed on display.”
Scott Millar envisions that ultimately the Alumni House will instill in CNC students “a sense of place, of permanence, of pride, of ownership, of responsibility and of stewardship for all that transpires on this campus. We want them to understand the importance of remaining engaged and supportive of their alma mater with their time, their talent and their treasure long after their days as a student have concluded.”
CNU Alumnus SCOTT MILLAR is Vice Rector of the CNU Board of Visitors and on the Executive Committee for CNU's Comprehensive Campaign, leading the efforts to build support for the alumni house project. President of the Alumni Society from 2008 until 2010, he continues to be a member of the CNU Alumni Society Board. He graduatedsumma cum laude in 1985 with a BS in Governmental Administration (concentration in Public Management) and a minor in History. He has “a strong personal link to two of CNU's ‘First Decader’ faculty members,” writing that “ Dr. Al Millar was my father's first cousin and Dr. Marshall Booker is my mother's first cousin. Both were highly instrumental in my decision to attend CNU many years ago.” Scott’s wife, Muriel, a 1988 graduate, is also on the Alumni Society Board. Scott wrote of her: “Muriel represents the commitment and perseverance of many CNC graduates of earlier decades who worked full time, often supporting family and enrolled in one or two classes a semester until they were able to walk across the stage at Commencement – in many cases the first in their family to do so.” Scott is Senior Director of the Human Resources Division at Canon Virgina, Inc. in Newport News.
Published February 13, 2015
Christopher Newport’s Alumni House, Part 3:
Financing It
By A. Jane Chambers
“We had no idea that the alumni could raise enough money to decorate an Alumni Room, much less build an Alumni House.”–James T. (Jim) Eyre, Alumni House Building Campaign
“From this current campaign (Defining Significance), more than $600,000 has been raised in gifts and pledges.” –Adelia Thompson, Vice President of University Advancement
“It is amazing what we can do when everybody pulls together.”—Jim Eyre
How do you undertake to build an alumni house when your institution is very young, with a relatively small number of alumni, and by state law you cannot get a penny of revenue for such a project from either The Commonwealth of Virginia or your own institution’s Educational Foundation? These were the major problems which created an insurmountable barrier between dream and reality for the alumni of Christopher Newport from its independence in 1977 until very recently.
A SLOW BEGINNING
Jim Eyre, one of four alumni currently serving on the Executive Committee for CNU’s Alumni House Building Campaign, well remembers the long, often frustrating road he and other alumni leaders traveled for almost two decades as they sought ways to achieve the goal of an alumni house. As a member of the Alumni Board of Directors (1995–98) and then as Alumni Society President (1997–98), Jim shared CNU President Paul Trible’s long-time desire to have an alumni house, but also shared the Alumni Board’s opinion that CNU’s alumni could not “raise enough money to decorate an Alumni Room, much less build an Alumni House.”
Nevertheless, some progress was made. “Our dream,” Jim recalls, “slowly grew, spurred on by President Trible’s unlimited enthusiasm and support.” The Alumni Board gathered helpful information by forming a committee to visit other state universities—including William and Mary, VCU, Mary Washington, and James Madison—researching how these universities used and financed their alumni houses. Then there was, according to Adelia Thompson, Vice President of University Advancement, “an early campaign for the house—begun more than ten years ago” that resulted in “over $100,000 in cash.”
A QUICKENING PACE
Two major events occurred in 2014 that have turned what seemed an impossible dream into a pending reality. First, recalls Jim, “President Trible made us an offer: If the Alumni could raise a small part of the total price of the first phase, he would see that the necessary financing for Phase 1 would be arranged so we could proceed.” This meant raising “seed money” of some $500,000. Second, the decision was made to have the Alumni House “as the only capital project in the University’s first major comprehensive fundraising campaign,” the Defining Significance campaign, which opened in 2014.
By October of 2014, Adelia P. Thompson, Vice President for University Advancement, and her very able staff, working with Scott Millar, on the Executive Committee for CNU's Comprehensive Campaign, and the Alumni Board of Directors, were able to meet the fund-raising requirement of $500,000. This goal was made possible primarily through contributions from Leadership Donors (see list on right) who gave $25,000 or more.
Parents and students of The Class of 2014 gave an impressive $65,000, making that class “one of the top donors,” according to Vice President Thompson. Further, as of this writing (March 11, 2015), states VP Thompson, “more than $600,000 has been raised in gifts and pledges.”
An additional source of on-going financing for the house, according to Executive Vice President Bill Brauer, is that “the business plan anticipates that the cost of construction and operation” of it “will also be supported by the University paying rent for office space on the second floor and by rental fees paid by outside groups to use the house for various functions.”
ALUMNI HOUSE LEADERSHIP DONORS ($25,000 or More)
The Brusnahan Family: Roger, Mari, Casey (’15) and Megan (’18)
Randolph (’91) and Susan Bryant
CNU Class of 2014
Doug G. Davis (’86)
Brian (’91) and Denise (’91) Eakes
James (’75) and Sarah Eyre
Jason (’97) and Keri Houser
Henry (’75) and Donna Jones
Gregory P. Klich (’84)
The Martin Family: Michael, Patty, Matthew (’05) and Julie (’06)
Matt and Terri (’86) McKnight
Scott (’85) and Muriel (’88) Millar
Warren (’84) and Carol Power
ONGOING FUND-RAISING
President Trible and Vice President Thompson’s department are continuing to work hard, through donations and other means of financing, to make possible the additional $3 million needed to complete CNU’s Alumni House. Vice President Thompson states that “the next phase of giving opportunities, which will roll out soon, will have a goal of at least $300,000 and will offer ways that more alumni can participate in supporting the house and be recognized for that support.” To learn more, call (757) 594-8268 (Office of Advancement) or visit giving.cnu.edu. As Jim Eyre said, “It is amazing what we can do when everybody pulls together.”
NOTE:Parts 1 and 2 of this series on the Alumni House are available in the tab (left margin) on HOME calledAlumni House. We welcome your questions and feedback on this series.
CNU Alumnus JAMES T. (JIM) EYRE(BA, Bus. Admin. 1975) grew up in Phoebus, graduated from Hampton High School in 1961, and initially attendedCNC in 1962-64, until his academic career was interrupted by the Vietnam War. In 1964 he joined the US Army, completed Officers Candidate School (OCS), and served a tourin South Vietnam as First Lieutenant with the Mobile Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta. Afterwards, beginning a career in business and finance, he returned to CNC in 1973 to complete his 4-year degree. He then had a very successful career as Executive VP, COO and CFO with VBS Material Handling Equipment. After retiring in 2006, Jim and his wife, Sarah, once math department chairman at York High, moved to Isle of Pines, SC. Jim’s service on the CNUAlumni's Board of Directors (1995-98) and as Alumni President (1997-98) earned him CNU'sOutstanding Alumni Award in 1999. After serving nine years on the CNU Educational Foundation's (CNUEF) Board of Trustees (1997-2006), he received the 50th Anniversary Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011. He is currently serving a second term as VP of CNUEF. He is also one of four alumni serving on the Executive Committee for the Alumni House Building Campaign.
Published Marh 13, 2015
Alumni House Update:
Improvements in Site and Parking
By A. Jane Chambers
With information provided by
William L. (Bill) Brauer
CNU’s Executive Vice President
In an April 4, 2015 email, Vice President Bill Brauer announced some significant changes in the site plan for the Alumni House and the parking area near it. Below are, first, a lot-numbered map of the original site plan, published on this website in January, in Part I of the Alumni House series, and next, the new plan. Studying the two together makes clear that these changes will be advantageous.
January 2015 Site Map provided by Vice President Brauer.
Originally, the location of the house (represented above by the blue image), was just west of LOT M, with the front of the house facing east and located very close to the western edge of the parking lot. There was very little lawn space front or back. The new plan is to move the house forward (still facing east) about 20 feet. This change, as explained by Mr. Brauer, “provides more backyard space, since we don’t own the adjoining properties yet [lots 10 & 12] and aligns the north-south walkway at the front of the house with the walkway that travels between Potomac River Hall [top left] and McMurran Hall” [one corner of it visible at top right]. The walkway in front of the Alumni House will then be roughly where the top part of the north-south road into and out of LOT M is now.
April 2015 Site & Parking Map (Scheme D) provided by VP Brauer.
CNU’s recent purchase of Lot 68 on Shoe Lane (see photo 1) has made possible major changes since the March plan was developed. First, parking Lot M, as Mr. Brauer states, “will be removed, and the entire area will be replaced with irrigated lawn and pavers toward the end of construction.” Thus the Alumni House will have a “front yard including a paver design area suitable for a large tent.” This paved area is represented in this new drawing (photo 2) as the rectangular area in front of the house that includes a circular area in the middle. A second big advantage of owning Lot 68 will be the addition of a new parking lot to replace Lot M, with 126 parking spaces, 13 of them handicap accessible. The Shoe Lane entrance will be on Lot 68, east of what is now the entrance to Lot M, and, says VP Brauer, the new entrance will create “a better pathway to pulling up in front of the house for pickup/drop off” and will offer “a better alignment for trucks heading to the DSU (student union) loading dock.”
The changes illustrated and discussed here were reviewed and approved by President Paul Trible on April 2nd. They will result in much more green space and paved space for outdoor activities at the Alumni House as well as a new, tree-lined parking area with more handicap parking spaces than originally planned. One closing note: VP Brauer’s April 3rd email opened with this announcement: “We are closing in on selecting a contractor for the Alumni House. Construction is expected to start in the June/July timeframe.” Soon we will be posting construction updates here. Stay tuned!
NOTE: Alumni House articles and photos regarding the floor plans, location, uses, and financing are housed in the ALUMNI HOUSE tab (left margin of this HOME page).
WILLIAM L. (BILL) BRAUER has a special connection with the people and history of the early decades of Christopher Newport. His father, Harrol A. Brauer, Jr., served the College from 1973 on the President’s Advisory Council, appointed by then President James C. Windsor. The year that Bill earned his BA in Business at CNC, 1977, his father became the first Rector of the newly independent College. In 1978, Bill’s wife, Michelle, also earned her degree at CNC, in Management Information Science (MIS). Bill’s service to Christopher Newport began in 1992, when he became VP of Administration and Finance. He has held the post of Executive Vice President since 1996, appointed at the beginning of Paul Trible’s Presidency.
Vice President Brauer (R) poses with former CNC President James C. Windsor (L) at Commencement 2014. Official CNU photo.
Published April 10, 2015
Link to Christopher Newport University home page: http://cnu.edu