November 11, 2002
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November 11, 2002 |
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"This is a dream come true," Rose-Hulman President Samuel Hulbert said in describing the state-of-the-art structure to the capacity crowd of just over 600 in the new Hatfield Hall theater. "Rose-Hulman now has a facility for our student performing arts groups that is worthy of the nation's No. 1 ranked undergraduate engineering college," he stated. From the opening Cole Porter song "Another Op'nin Another Show," by Rose-Hulman students to a standing ovation at the conclusion of a concert of classical music by the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, the evening was an expression of appreciation to Mike and Deborah Hatfield whose gift provided funding to build, equip and endow Hatfield Hall. 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 ceremonies that began the evening and included expressions of appreciation by President Hulbert, Pat and Mike Hatfield. Hatfield Speaks About the Benefits of his Rose-Hulman Education "The longer that I'm away from Rose-Hulman the more valuable I realize my experiences at the school have been to my personal and professional development," Mike Hatfield told the audience. "Because of its size, Rose-Hulman gives students excellent opportunities for leadership roles in academic and extracurricular activities. I want to make sure that type of educational environment continues," he explained. "I'm very pleased with this facility, and I know that 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. My mother's involvement as a volunteer for arts organizations and other community groups taught me the need to give back to your community," he said. Among those thanked by Pat Hatfield was architect Bill Bradford of VOA Associates based in Chicago. "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." Hulbert said Mike and Deborah Hatfield's generosity has created an extraordinary building that will benefit campus life for decades. "Our students have exceptional musical and theatrical talents which can now be displayed in an ultramodern facility where those talents can be thoroughly appreciated," he stated. "Even after students graduate, they will return and enjoy the new alumni hall and take part in performing arts activities involving alumni." Seventh Multimillion Dollar Campus Facility in Six Years Hatfield Hall is the seventh multimillion dollar facility to be built at Rose-Hulman in six years. From its modern glass-fronted lobby to its state-of-the-art, 602-seat theater and new alumni center, Hatfield Hall provides 46,942 square-feet of rehearsal and practice rooms for students, new space for alumni activities, and offices for alumni affairs, development and external affairs staffs.
The Hatfield Hall theater replaces the 76-year-old Moench Hall Auditorium which is being remodeled into new space for the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering. The theater features the newest sound and lighting system technology and behind-the-stage equipment that will make it possible to stage a variety of performing arts events. The stage's 46-foot front and 30-foot depth will provide audiences with excellent viewing from any seat in the audience. Hatfield Hall also houses a new Alumni Center, a circular space on the main floor that will be used for alumni meetings and as a showcase to illustrate the success of Rose-Hulman graduates. The Alumni Center's features include a two-story, vaulted ceiling capped with a skylight. Forty-five percent of the total square footage on campus available for academics or student services has been constructed during the past six years, according to Wayne Spary, vice president for facilities operations. In addition to Hatfield Hall, other multimillion dollar buildings completed at Rose-Hulman since 1996 include the renovation and expansion of the Hulman Union, the construction of the Olin Advanced Learning Center, Sports and Recreation Center, the new residence hall, the John T. Myers Center for Technological Research with Industry and the White Chapel. |
