Calling it the "the absolute epicenter of campus life," President Harold T. Shapiro presided over the dedication of the Frist Campus Center today (Oct. 20) and honored those involved in the "milestone in Princeton's history." Speakers praised the building and its potential for enhancing the spirit of both community and service on campus.
U.S. Senator William H. Frist '74, whose family provided a $25 million gift for the campus center, said Frist will lead to creativity and innovation by providing places for both intimate and global connections. "Individual growth best emerges when it's part of collective growth," he said, echoing the sentiments of former U.S. and University President Woodrow Wilson. His brother, Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Jr., P91 P93, said the center exceeded his high expectations and he congratulated the University for its stewardship.
Publisher Harold W. McGraw, Jr. '40, whose gift created the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning housed in Frist, said, "We are witnessing today what Princeton excels at - preserving the best of the past and bringing it, revitalized and reinvigorated, into the future."
Architect Robert Venturi '47 *50, whose firm designed the campus center, marveled at its dualities saying, "This building is at once, being complex, a destination and a point of passage...it is a place and a way...it is a center and a route." He added, "This juxtaposition of the ivory tower and the pragmatic is not new at Princeton" but said the convergence of ideas and people would enhance an already great community.
Graduate Student Government Chair Lauren Hale praised the University for actively including graduate students in the planning of the center and Undergraduate Student Government President P.J.Kim '01 said undergraduates are equally enthusiastic. The dedication, which drew hundreds of alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members, concluded with the singing of "Old Nassau," and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Contact: Justin Harmon (609) 258-3601