Faith
Integrity
Diligence
Excellence
Service
Spring 2016
Vol. 79, No. 3
Entered as Periodical
at Post Office, Media, Pa.
The Williamsonian
A PUBLICATION for alumni and friends of Williamson COLLEGE OF THE TRADES
Main Building Is Named Rowan Hall
During Henry Rowan Tribute
Standing in front of a slide announcing the naming of Rowan Hall are (from
left to right) President Michael Rounds; Virginia Rowan Smith, Henry Rowan’s
daughter; Lee Rowan, Henry Rowan’s wife; Manny Smith, Virginia’s husband;
and Michael Piotrowicz, member of the board of trustees.
Tufts’ Study On Character Declares
‘Williamson A Model For All’
By Thomas Wisneski
VP of Research/Assessment
On April 22, researchers from Tufts
University’s Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development made a
presentation in Williamson’s Chapel of
the findings from their three-year study
of character development. They were
joined by representatives of the John
Templeton Foundation, who funded the
research through a $2¼ million grant.
Also in attendance were faculty, staff,
alumni and other members of the Williamson community.
From August 2012 to May 2015, the
Continued on Page 8
Service Week’s Community Service
Provides ‘Extraordinary Impact’
Nearly 7,000 hours of work were
provided, 37 deserving nonprofit organizations were helped, much bonding between students, faculty, and staff
took place, Williamson’s mission became known to many for the first time,
and, Williamson’s young men learned
the good feeling one can only get from
helping others.
This all took place from March 15-18
as almost the entire Williamson community, about 250 students, 50 faculty
and staff, and several trustees and alumni, took part in Service Week.
President Michael Rounds said, “The
first-ever Williamson Service Week —
an entire week dedicated to our core value of service — is now history and it was
a fabulously successful event that was
special and memorable for all involved.
As I visited some of the local sites, the
feedback I heard was overwhelmingly
positive from the organizations we supported. They were impressed with the
hard work and great attitude of our students and very appreciative of the help
we provided them. We truly did make
an extraordinary impact.”
Executive Vice President and COO
Greg Lindemuth, who was instrumental in organizing Service Week, along
with Thomas Wisneski, vice president
of research and assessment, and Doug
Turrell, vice president of plans and operations, said “This was one of the largest projects Williamson has taken on in
its entire history and, without a doubt,
the combined efforts of our students,
faculty, and staff made it a very successful week with much work accomplished
and 37 worthy nonprofit organizations
helped.
“One of our goals was to have students from different shops and class
years work together so bonds could be
formed between students who don’t
normally interact together. I do think
Continued on Page 10
President Michael Rounds announced
that the school’s administration building, known as the Main Building, will be
named Rowan Hall in honor of the late
Henry M. Rowan, Williamson’s greatest
benefactor since Isaiah V. Williamson
founded the school in 1888.
Rounds made the announcement during a recent tribute to Rowan in the college’s Clara Schrenk Memorial Chapel.
Rounds said the naming will ensure
that Rowan, who died Dec. 9, 2015, will
be a part of the college for all time and
that it was appropriate because of all he
had done for Williamson.
Members of the Rowan family in the
audience included Lee, Rowan’s wife,
and his daughter Virginia Rowan Smith,
who is chair of Inductotherm Corp., the
company founded by her father, and
her husband Manny. Also present were
many members of the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, all the students, and
many guests.
During the tribute, several speakers
offered words of praise for Rowan.
In his welcoming remarks, Rounds
said, “We have gathered here today because Hank Rowan is no longer with us
and we want to pay tribute to him because he meant so much to us.
“There is only one other man who
has done as much financially for Williamson College of the Trades as Henry
M. Rowan and that man is our founder,
Isaiah Vansant Williamson. Just like Isaiah Williamson, Hank was not content
to build great wealth and then spend it
on himself. He saw that a responsibility
came with wealth and he gave generously over the years to many different
organizations and schools.”
He added that for great men like
Rowan and Isaiah Williamson wealth
meant supporting worthy causes they
believed in. “Their generosity has not
only helped thousands, it has left a
legacy that will continue long after they
have passed away.
“Hank did not offer his support to an
organization unless he felt he would be
able to leave that organization better off
as a consequence. If you look around
Continued on Page 6
Ground Is Broken For Watson Dorm
With a large crowed of trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and many
friends watching, ground was broken
on April 22 for construction of the Watson dorm, Williamson’s first new dorm
since 1912.
The dorm is named after Wayne C.
Watson 4W8, long-serving chairman
of the Board of Trustees who joined the
Board in 1971 and has been chairman
since 1983.
Continued on Page 6
Breaking ground for Watson Dorm are (from left to right): Steve Cava 9W5,
Jared Pendleton 1W6, Kevin Blackney 7W6, William Bonenberger 7W9, President Michael Rounds, and Wayne Watson 4W8, receiving some help from Will
Krakowiak 1W7