New Dorm to be Named for Pat & Bob Ayres

Regents Approve Other Campus Planning

At its recent meeting, the University of the South board of regents approved a resolution naming the new residence hall being built on Alabama Avenue “Ayres Hall” in recognition of the many contributions that Robert (C’49, H’74) and Patricia (H’98) Ayres have made to the University and the Sewanee community.

Robert Moss Ayres Jr. is a member of Sewanee’s class of 1949 and a businessman from San Antonio, Texas. His leadership during a time of fiscal crisis in the mid-1970s and his continued generous support of the school have led many to consider Ayres one of the “modern founders” of the University. As vice-chancellor from 1977 to 1988, Ayres imposed fiscal discipline and erased a $1.2 million deficit in the first five years of his service. Thanks to the success of his Century II Campaign (the University’s first capital campaign in 20 years) and careful management, the University’s endowment more than tripled during the Ayres years.

In 2011, the St. Mary’s Sewanee board of trustees announced the naming of its new campus—the Ayres Center for Spiritual Development—in honor of Bob and Pat Ayres. Together, the remarkable couple have been known for their diligence, faithfulness and generosity, and for nurturing values of service and stewardship in others.

Also during the meeting, the regents reviewed recent progress on the University Avenue study and made several determinations. They approved planning for “phase one” of the Commons project in the area in and around the University Book and Supply Store, including the EQB building. The plans will include some combination of fitness, wellness, the Sewanee Outing Program and related functions in this location. Recommendations for renovation and possible new construction, to be presented in June, will also include plans for relocating print services and at least some of the current bookstore functions and staff.

As part of the discussion of the Commons, the board decided that Fulford Hall will remain where it stands; its long-term use is still to be determined.

Thompson Union and the area from Fulford to and including the Rebel’s Rest site will be considered as sites for the next phase of the University Commons. Plans for phase one of the Commons project and the placement of the School of Theology will help clarify the remaining programmatic elements needed in the new University Commons.

University Schedules Two Workshops for Input

University Avenue Planning

The University of the South is hosting a planning session to gather input on how the University develops a plan for the University Avenue corridor. Community members, alumni, faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend the session at 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12, in Convocation Hall.

These meetings are part of the decision-making process laid out recently by the Board of Regents and the Vice-Chancellor.

The University Avenue corridor is defined as the area from Georgia Avenue to the University Book and Supply Store and Print Services along both sides of the street—including the Rebel’s Rest site, Convocation Hall, the Quad, Fulford Hall, Thompson Union, All Saints’ Chapel, McClurg, the bookstore and Chen Hall.

Attendees of the public meetings should come prepared to discuss these questions: Where should the University locate the University Commons? What are the best and most appropriate uses for the University Avenue corridor to serve the long-term interests of the University and its community?

For more information go to <se​wanee.edu/uaplanning/> or email
<ehartman@sewanee.edu>.

Downtown Master Plan

In conjunction with consultants Town Planning and Urban Design Collaborative (TPUDC), the University is working to develop a plan for the Sewanee downtown area. The next step in the process will be a virtual workshop, 5–7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12, in the upstairs meeting rooms in McClurg Dining Hall. For people who cannot attend the event, they may participate online (details below).

During the workshop the University’s town planner will present the plan developed during workshops held in August. This is an opportunity for interested parties to provide ideas and feedback on the draft plan and to help finalize the vision for downtown Sewanee. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback on the plan before the final draft is completed in December 2015.

TPUDC has been charged with finalizing a downtown master plan with specific steps for future growth, and overseeing design and development. TPUDC’s workshops in August resulted in a draft plan to create a more vibrant downtown area that will attract investment and support mixed-use development at a village scale. 

To participate in the workshop online, go to <www.GoToWebinar.com>. Click “Join Webinar” and enter Webinar ID # 101-745-131. Please register prior to the Nov. 12 event. 

Public Input Meetings for Planning Issues

The University of the South will host planning sessions to gather input on how the University might fulfill its mission for future generations of students, specifically in developing a plan for the University Avenue corridor. These meetings are part of the decision-making process laid out recently by the Board of Regents and the Vice Chancellor.

Community members, alumni, faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend. The first meeting will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, in Convocation Hall. A second session will be at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, November 12, as part of Homecoming weekend for the College. In both, attendees will meet in Convocation Hall, walk along University Avenue toward the Bookstore, and return to Convocation for collaboration and sharing.

Additional gatherings will be held for students and for University employees. An interactive display will be available in McClurg Dining Hall in late October; it will be open for viewing and contributing ideas.

The University Avenue corridor is defined as the area from Georgia Avenue to the Bookstore and Print Services along both sides of the street—including the Rebel’s Rest site, Convocation Hall, the Quad, Fulford Hall, Thompson Union, All Saints’ Chapel, McClurg, the Bookstore, and Chen Hall. 

Attendees of the public meetings should come prepared to discuss these questions: Where should the University locate the University Commons? What are the best and most appropriate uses for the University Avenue corridor to serve the long-term interests of the University and its community?

A website with more information will be available soon. For information, contact Eric Hartman by email to <ehartman@sewanee.edu>.

Regents Define Process for University Avenue Decisions :: Will Gather Data, Ideas & Opinions

The University of the South board of regents concluded two days of meetings on Sept. 22; among other actions, the board unanimously adopted a statement defining the process for locating a new University Commons. No decisions have yet been reached about this complex issue.

In the statement [see page 7], the regents expressed the need for additional data as they continue to deliberate the best long-term uses of various sites along University Avenue. Along with professional reports, the board and the vice-chancellor will solicit additional community input. Vice-Chancellor John McCardell will establish a process, including both public meetings and written comments, for gathering ideas and opinions.

The board of regents will review possible sites for the Commons that include the Rebel’s Rest site, the Fulford Hall site, and the space immediately adjacent to the University Supply Store to the north of the pathway through Elliott Park, in addition to the Thompson Union site as well as other sites that may emerge in the course of the study. The board reiterated that its focus will remain on providing an excellent learning environment for Sewanee students.

IONA Opens New Season of Readings & Art

The Autumn Assembly of Authors at IONA: Art Sanctuary opens this month with a full slate of readings and art exhibits. The public is welcome, all events are free, and parking is available.

At 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18, there will be an exhibition of photographs by Sewanee native Elizabeth Core. Readers will be Lynn Cimino-Hurt, Chris McDonough and Laura Willis. Cimino-Hurt is a local writer and artist; she will read poetry. McDonough is a professor of classics at Sewanee who blogs regularly at <www.uncomelyandbroken.wordpress.com>.

At 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, there will be a tribute to Fulford Hall. Leslie Richardson will offer an introduction to poetry by David Landon and Richard Tillinghast. Billy Terrell will provide music. Core’s photography will also be on display.

On Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m., there will be readings of poetry and verse by Virginia Craighill and Camila Hwang-Carlos. Bill Yelverton will accompany on guitar. 

At 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27, Eugene Ham will talk about Fayetteville history; there will be readings by Alric McDermott, Jennifer Michael and Stephen Feeley.

On Oct. 2 and Oct. 4, Rachel Malde will have an exhibit of her photography; Alston McCrady will also exhibit photographs. Readers will include April Berends, Yolande and Robin Gottfried, Robie Jackson and Waring McCrady.

On Oct. 9 and Oct. 11, there will be a painting exhibit by Addison Willis. Readers will include Kiki Beavers and John Beavers, Kevin Cummings, Noah Feeley, Luann Landon, Leslie Lytle and Bran Potter. The theatre students of St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School will also perform at IONA that weekend.

IONA: Art Sanctuary, founded by Sewanee artist Ed Carlos, exists “to offer a place for writers and artists to share their creative work with each other and the community, and our emphasis is the source: creativity and spirituality.”

Refreshments are served after each program. These events are free and open to the public. Additional dates and readers will be announced throughout the fall. IONA: Art Sanctuary is located at 630 Garnertown Rd., Sewanee.

Fulford Hall Will Continue to Stand on Sewanee Campus

Sewanee Vice-Chancellor John McCardell announced during the Aug. 25 “Launching of a New Year” event that Fulford Hall will be renovated and will continue to stand on the University of the South campus. McCardell made the announcement following consultation with the University chancellor and the chair of the board of regents.

“We undertook an evaluation of the safety and soundness of Fulford Hall. The evaluation comprehensively examined the condition of Fulford, its possible future uses, and whether the costs, respectively, of replacement, renovation, or relocation were justified. Further, we conducted the study with an open mind, prepared, in the best tradition of the University, to let evidence inform conclusions rather than the other way around,” said McCardell.

“We have just received a draft of the report. Based on its findings, I am now able to announce that the option of taking down Fulford Hall is off the table. The regents will continue to consider the best long-term use of Fulford, but it is now safe to say that the building can and will, at reasonable cost, be renovated to serve the University for many years to come.”

During the summer, a study of the University Avenue corridor from Georgia Avenue to Tennessee Avenue was conducted. The study also included the structural assessment of Fulford Hall, following the opinion of the fire chief that Fulford Hall in its current condition may pose a safety risk. The University hopes to make the final version of the report available soon after it has been received.

Tour Rebel's Rest

“Explore Rebel’s Rest” tours (approx. 30 minutes long) will be available to the public on Friday, July 31, 9 a.m. –2 p.m.  All are welcome to come and hear an overview of the Polk and Fairbanks history of the site, updates on the various research projects related to the site, and see the Rebels Rest excavation in progress.

Children under the age of 15 need to be accompanied by an adult. Sturdy, closed-toe footwear is required. Please meet at the gate at the Rebel’s Rest site, next to Fulford Hall. In the case of heavy rain, the event will be rescheduled.

On July 23, 2014, fire destroyed the second floor of the 148-year-old historic house. The building was in the midst of renovations.

For more information go to <www.sewanee.edu/rebelsrest>; there are opportunities to volunteer on the site and in the lab.