Spring 2003
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Spring 2003 |
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When Mike Hatfield decided to make a major gift to Rose-Hulman,
his plans were to replace the antiquated Moench Hall Auditorium with a
technically advanced facility deserving of a college that has earned a national
reputation as the best college of its kind. Hatfield also wished to honor his
parents who encouraged him to be an engineer and taught him the value of
volunteerism and giving back. The comments by Dyer are similar to remarks expressed daily on
campus which illustrate that Hatfield's plans to make a major impact on
improving campus life at Rose-Hulman hasn't just been achieved, his dreams have
been exceeded. "Rose-Hulman now has a facility for our student performing arts groups and alumni that is worthy of the nation’s No. 1 ranked undergraduate engineering college," Rose-Hulman President Samuel Hulbert said in describing Hatfield Hall to a capacity crowd who attended dedication events at the state-of-the-art facility Nov. 9. The 602-seat theater replaces the Moench Hall Auditorium that had been used as a performing arts facility for 76 years. The auditorium space in Moench Hall is being remodeled into a new location for the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering. From the opening Cole Porter song, "Another Op'nin, Another Show," performed by Rose-Hulman students to a standing ovation at the conclusion of a concert by the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, the dedication was an expression of appreciation to Mike and Deborah Hatfield. It is their $14 million gift, the largest donation from an individual in the college's history that funded the construction of Hatfield Hall and an endowment to maintain the state-of-the-art facility. The new facility is named in honor of Mike’s parents, Pat and Larry Hatfield. A large, oil portrait of Larry and Pat was unveiled during the dedication ceremonies. The painting now hangs near the new Alumni Center. Among those thanked by Pat Hatfield during remarks she made following the portrait's unveiling was architect Bill Bradford of VOA Associates based in Chicago. She worked closely with Bradford and campus officials during the design phase of the building. "I had a vision, and today it is a reality because of the talents of so many, especially Bill Bradford," she said. "Larry and I are simply overwhelmed by the beauty and quality of this structure." Bradford has been the lead architect on several new campus structures, including the White Chapel and Sports and Recreation Center. The Hatfields agreed that seeing the completed building for the first time the morning of the dedication was an emotional experience. "It was overwhelming. Seeing it for the first time made me realize that this building will benefit students beyond our lifetime," Deborah Hatfield commented. Hulbert emphasized that Hatfield Hall will have a positive impact on students even after they graduate. "Our students have exceptional musical and theatrical talents, which can now be displayed in an ultramodern facility where those talents can be thoroughly appreciated. Even after they graduate, they will return and enjoy the new alumni hall and take part in performing arts activities," he said.
Hatfield graduated with honors in 1984. He earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering and mathematical economics. He is founder, chief executive officer and president of Calix Networks in Petaluma, Calif. Calix Networks creates products to expand the reach of fiber optic networks During his remarks to the dedication audience, Hatfield recalled the benefits he received from the personal attention Rose-Hulman faculty provided. He told about a hallway discussion as an underclassman with John Ying, emeritus professor of economics, and how his admiration for the professor grew with each Ying class Hatfield took. "The longer I’m away from Rose-Hulman the more valuable I realize my experiences at the school have been to my personal and professional development. Because of its size, Rose-Hulman gives students excellent opportunities for leadership roles in academic and extracurricular activities," said the Anderson, Ind. native. "I want to make sure that type of educational environment continues. I'm very pleased and impressed with this facility. I know it will help Rose-Hulman achieve its goal to always be the best," he stated. "My parents had a very strong influence on why I went to Rose-Hulman," Hatfield remembers. "My father's educational and professional background in engineering certainly influenced me," noted Hatfield, whose father received an engineering degree from the University of Missouri-Rolla. "My mother's involvement as a volunteer for arts organizations and other community groups taught me the need to give back to your community," explained Hatfield. As a student, he served as social service chair for his fraternity and as a volunteer for Special Olympics.
The opening of Hatfield Hall marks the completion of the seventh multimillion-dollar facility to be built on campus in six years. In addition to the new theater, Hatfield Hall houses an Alumni Center, rehearsal and practice rooms for student groups, storage for music and theatrical equipment, and a scene-making shop. The circular portion of Hatfield Hall houses the new Alumni Center on the main floor near the building's main entrance. The room is octagonal-shaped on the inside and highlighted by a two-story, vaulted ceiling capped with a skylight. The room includes a fireplace, hardwood floors and the opportunity to give more visibility to the achievements of Rose-Hulman alumni. "Several large display cases are being used to exhibit material about the achievements of alumni and historic as well as current Rose-Hulman successes," noted Brian Dyer, director of alumni affairs and special events. "These exhibits are now part of our admissions tours and other visits by guests to campus," he noted. New space for the alumni, development and external affairs staffs is located on two floors on the north side of the facility. These administrative offices were moved from the Templeton Building, which has been demolished. Templeton was built in 1954 and served as the college's first student union before being remodeled into administrative offices.
Students agree that Hatfield Hall will greatly enhance the creative outlet provided by Rose-Hulman performing arts groups, which provide an outlet for students. "I think the diversity that the Drama Club can bring to my education at Rose-Hulman keeps me from thinking in a box, it keeps me sane in my studies to be a computer scientist," Drama Club President Sid Stamm said. More students will be encouraged to join campus performing arts groups as a result of the new facilities, according to Sara Horner, president of the Rose-Hulman Chorus. "With such an exquisite facility, students now know that Rose-Hulman takes pride in the diverse talents of the students, especially those who are involved with the performing arts." Chemical engineering major Jennifer Phelps says Hatfield Hall will be an important part of a student's campus experience. She said being in the Rose-Hulman Band provides a much needed break from the rigorous academic atmosphere on campus. "Rose is a fast-paced, high-quality, but difficult education. Some people play sports to relieve stress, some watch TV, draw or paint, and some play music. Band is one way to help relieve the stress and it allows us to come back and face reality," explained Phelps, who is the Band's president. Just a few words spoken by President Hulbert during the opening night ceremonies, seem to sum up everyone’s feelings about the newest addition to campus: "This is a dream come true."
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