Construction Updates East End News

Groundbreaking ceremony marks start of university’s east end transformation project

Participants hold shovels in the groundbreaking ceremony for the East End Transformation of the Danforth Campus at Washington University in St Louis

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held May 5 to recognize the generous donors who made the East End Transformation possible and to mark the planned start of construction May 22.

The project is the university’s largest capital investment ever on the Danforth Campus, encompassing 18 acres beginning at the foot of Brookings Hall and continuing east to Skinker Boulevard.

Among the participants in the groundbreaking ceremony was Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton, who referred to the East End Transformation as “a doorway to the future of Washington University.”

“This monumental undertaking embraces our historical tradition and sets the course for the next era of academic achievement at Washington University,” Wrighton said. “It will foster multidisciplinary collaboration among schools and departments, serve the needs of our students, faculty, and visitors, and create an iconic new entrance that will welcome everyone to the Danforth Campus.”

Also addressing the approximately 1,000 guests were life trustees Stephen F. Brauer and John F. McDonnell, MBA ’14; trustee Andrew E. Newman; and senior Shoshanah M. Shanes, of Arts & Sciences.

Other key participants were the seven east end project leadership donors:

  • Trustee Donald A. Jubel, BS ’73;
  • Life Trustee David W. Kemper;
  • James M. McKelvey Jr., AB ’87, BS ’87;
  • Board of Trustees Chair Craig D. Schnuck;
  • Trustee Gary M. Sumers, AB ’75;
  • Trustee Ann R. Tisch, AB ’76; and
  • Trustee John D. Weil.
Washington University in St. Louis East End Transformation donors participating in the groundbreaking ceremony
Participating in the groundbreaking ceremony are (from left): trustee Donald A. Jubel, BS ’73; trustee Gary M. Sumers, AB ’75; Board of Trustees Chair Craig D. Schnuck; life trustee David W. Kemper; James M. McKelvey Sr., MS ’47, PhD ’50; James M. McKelvey Jr., AB ’87, BS ’87; trustee Ann R. Tisch, AB ’76; life trustee John F. McDonnell, MBA ’14; and trustee John D. Weil. (Photo: Joe Angeles/Washington University)

In recognizing the donors, Wrighton said: “Throughout the history of Washington University, whenever great opportunities have arisen, generous individuals have stepped forward to help us seize them. In every case, these leadership gifts have advanced our mission of teaching, research and service to the next level of excellence.

“Today we honor the alumni and friends whose extraordinary support for Leading Together: The Campaign for Washington University enabled us to move forward with our vision for the east end,” Wrighton said.

A Board of Trustees committee, chaired by Kemper, helped guide the planning for the east end project. Other members of the committee are Brauer, Mary Ann Lazarus, McDonnell, Newman, and Schnuck.

The entire project is scheduled for completion in about two years, aside from McKelvey Hall, which will open in 2020.

Read the full story in the Source »