Faith
Integrity
Diligence
Excellence
Service
Winter 2016
Vol. 79, No. 2
Entered as Periodical
at Post Office, Media, Pa.
The Williamsonian
A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF WILLIAMSON COLLEGE OF THE TRADES
New Dorm Construction To Begin Soon
Bids From Alumni Contractors Sought
Williamson’s new dormitory will be named in honor of longtime board chairman Wayne C. Watson 4W8. A major portion of the project is being funded by
an anonymous donor who is a longtime Williamson friend.
Flower Show Exhibit Will Depict Appalachian Trail
Please Note: Flower Show dates were changed by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to Saturday, March 5, to Sunday, March 13.
One of the goals of “The Appalachian
Trail — The People’s Trail,” Williamson’s
exhibit in the upcoming Philadelphia
International Flower Show, is to get visitors excited about the Appalachian trail
so they will make plans to hike it.
Chuck Feld, the horticulture instructor overseeing the exhibit, said “Hiking
the Appalachian trail is something everybody should do. It’s a very nice trail
to hike and its not necessary to hike the
Continued on page 8
Snyder Is Named Vice President
For Institutional Advancement
Arlene A. Snyder, CFRE, immediate
past president of the Sibley Memorial
Hospital Foundation in Washington,
D.C., joined Williamson as vice president for institutional advancement this
fall.
Arlene A. Snyder, CFRE
President Michael J. Rounds said,
“After a very long and thorough search,
we are thrilled that Arlene has joined
the team here at Williamson. Arlene
has been inspired by our mission and is
eager to lead the Office for Institutional
Advancement in its fund-raising initiatives. We are impressed with her extensive leadership experience in fundraising and feel truly blessed to have found
someone of her caliber and experience.”
Snyder said, “I am honored to be
part of such a significant and unique
institution. When I first met President
Rounds, he clearly articulated the goals
for Williamson and his vision for the
future, which will need philanthropic
investment to become a reality. Upon
meeting the Board of Trustees, I was
confident that the drive and commitment of the leadership is in place to accomplish the aggressive agenda to meet
the needs of the community we serve. I
look forward to building on the many
accomplishments that Williamson has
Continued on page 10
A large gift pledge has been secured
that will fund a major portion of the
construction of a new dormitory at
Williamson — the first new dormitory to be built since 1912, the Board
of Trustees and President Michael J.
Rounds announced recently. Construction will begin in the spring.
The pledge was provided by a longtime friend of Williamson who prefers
to remain anonymous.
When completed, the new dorm,
which will be located between Cottage
Row and the Restall Sports Center, will
be named “Watson” in honor of Wayne
C. Watson 4W8, longtime board chairman. The dorm will accommodate 2426 students and will have a 2-bedroom
apartment for a dorm manager.
The architectural plans were designed
by Kevin Blackney 7W6, a founding
partner of Blackney Hayes Architects
who also designed the Strine Learning
Center in 2006.
Blackney said, “The building was designed to emulate the original dorms
which were designed by Frank Furness
in 1890. It was a challenge to replicate
19th century construction with 21st
century technology and codes, however, we are confident it will be difficult for
visitors to be able to tell the new dorm
from the original dorms.”
Rounds said, “Upon its completion,
the new dorm will give us the flexibility of always having an existing dorm
off-line for major renovations without
having to reduce student enrollment.
This gives us the opportunity to utilize
our shops and student tradesmen to do
some of the renovations so that our students gain valuable ‘real-world’ experience while saving Williamson money.
It’s the best of both worlds and some of
our existing dorms haven’t had a major
renovation in 25 years or more.”
The project’s construction management will be provided by WB homes,
Inc., of North Wales, Pa., a construction
company owned by William Bonenberger 7W9, board vice chair.
Bonenberger said, “Our team from
WB will have strong Williamson connections with Steve Cava 9W5 as project manager. We will also have Bob Pritz,
Continued on page 8
Tribute To Henry M. Rowan
Williamson’s Greatest Benefactor Dies
Henry M. Rowan, Williamson College
of the Trades’ greatest benefactor since
Isaiah V. Williamson, died Dec. 9 at the
age of 92.
Mr. Rowan and his wife Lee gave $20
million to Williamson in 2008, after beginning their support in 2007 with a $5
million challenge grant.
The support to Williamson of Mr. and
Mrs. Rowan and the Henry M. Rowan
Family Foundation inspired H. FitzGerald and Marguerite Lenfest to also make a
$20 million gift to the school in 2008. The
combined gifts nearly doubled Williamson’s endowment. The Rowan family’s
support to Williamson has been ongoing.
Mr. Rowan once said he supports
Williamson because he believes in the
school’s unique mission and believes it
is helping America. He also liked the
school’s commitment to frugality, a trait
he holds in high esteem. He once said,
“Lee and I have been privileged to become acquainted with Williamson over
the past several years. We believe very
strongly in Williamson’s mission to pro-
vide excellent academics while preparing
deserving young men with the rigorous
training and strong values needed to
build men of good moral character.”
President Michael Rounds said, “Hank
Continued on page 7
Henry M. Rowan