MMC Reception Officially Opens The Lowerre Family Terrace

(From left) Trustee and Campaign Chair Judy Carson '03, President Judson R. Shaver Ph.D., Paul Lowerre '81, his wife Ursula and their daughter Lavinia, cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the unveiling of The Lowerre Family Terrace on Sept. 8.

Speakers included New York State Assemblyman Jonathan L. Bing (D-Manhattan), President Judson R. Shaver, Ph.D., Paul C. Lowerre ’81, and Campaign Chair Judith M. Carson ’03.

The Lowerre Family Terrace, the College’s new 5,000-square-foot quad, offers a respite in a natural setting and features a water wall, heated trellis and garden areas that foster the community interaction essential to student-centered learning. The dedication ceremony included the official unveiling of the spectacular water wall, designed by New York Architect Lori Kupfer.

Assemblyman Bing, an advocate for higher education, was instrumental in acquiring a $758,357 grant from the Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). 

The idea to convert the rooftop to a community gathering space was of particular interest to Paul C. Lowerre, who said that as a student, he “hung out” wherever he could find space. Paul, his wife Ursula and their family contributed $1 million for the construction of the terrace throughThis is the Day, the campaign for Marymount Manhattan. 

In December 2007, The Kresge Foundation awarded a $1.5 million challenge grant to Marymount Manhattan to support the construction of The Lowerre Family Terrace. 

Carson, whose family contributed $5 million to the campaign, announced that This is the Day is generating support from an ever-widening constituency of donors. This is exemplified by major contributions to the Bedford Hills College Program (BHCP). The Clark Foundation awarded a $500,000 grant, and the Betty and Norman F. Levy Charitable Trust contributed $400,000 to the BHCP. Valerie and John Rowe pledged $1 million to match gifts to endow the BHCP. Carson also recognized Honorary Campaign Chair Constance Nugent McQuade ’54 and her husband Jim, who made a leadership gift of $500,000. Explaining that the College has raised close to $20 million, the Campaign Chair invited our guests to help us in realizing our $25 million goal by June 30.
v President Shaver expressed his gratitude for the generosity of 125 donors who contributed to the campaign. The president acknowledged the MMC donors who gave an anonymous gift of $5 million and recognized the Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust for pledging $1 million to This is the Day. 

The Lowerre Family Terrace, designed and built through independent efforts by New York-based architects and engineers, enhances the original structure built by John Russell Pope in 1929 and serves as an outdoor venue that complements its New York City surroundings. The Board of Trustees approved construction of the terrace, which is an important facet of the College’s facilities Master Plan. 

The terrace connects the third floors of MMC’s Main and Nugent buildings. It is the first major facilities project of This is the Day, the College’s $25 million comprehensive campaign to provide capital improvements to enhance facilities, to increase need-based financial aid for students, and to advance academic excellence through the creation of fixed-term academic chairs.

Published: September 16, 2008