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(l to r) Stuart Laughon, Ira Andrews '59,
Frank "Pepper" Laughon'59 |
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Randolph-Macon College President Robert R. Lindgren is pleased to announce that construction will begin on a new freshmen residence hall in August 2010. Lindgren also shared that the new freshmen residence hall will be named in honor of Ira L. Andrews III ’59, professor emeritus of religious studies and retired dean of students at R-MC.
This 108-bed, suite-style facility, which will border the football field, will include a 1,500 square foot common room for academic and student organization use, study areas, a gaming/TV room, a laundry facility, a staff apartment and a community porch area.
Lindgren said, “This project is a result of the very generous gifts from two valued members of the R-MC community, Frank E. ‘Pepper’ and Stuart Laughon.” He added that the residence hall, scheduled to open in August 2011, will complement the existing Freshmen Village located across the street and provide additional gathering spaces for all students. “We are deeply grateful to the Laughons for their longstanding commitment to this wonderful college and hope that their philanthropy will encourage others to support this significant project,” said Lindgren.
Laughon, R-MC Class of 1959, is the Chairman Emeritus and CEO of Richmond Cold Storage, a company that operates twelve refrigerated and dry-storage warehouses along the Mid-Atlantic States. He is also founder and president of Flare Corporation, an international consulting firm for refrigerated warehousing and distribution.
Laughon and his wife Stuart have been actively engaged with Randolph-Macon. He serves on the Board of Trustees, Student Affairs Committee, the Athletic Committee and as chair of the Greek Alumni Advisory Board. In 2003, the Laughons established the Pepper and Stuart Laughon Commitment to Community Award, which is presented annually to an R-MC student organization or individual making significant contributions to enrich the lives of others. In 2007, Laughon received the Distinguished Alumni Award for his service to the college.
“Stuart and I are delighted to support this new living-learning space for the outstanding students at Randolph-Macon,” said Laughon. He added, “Naming this residence hall after Ira Andrews makes this even more meaningful. Ira, who many of us refer to as ‘Mr. Randolph-Macon,’ is one of the college’s most well-respected and beloved members and exemplifies the very best of this fine institution. We are honored to have a role in paying tribute to Ira for his lifelong contributions to R-MC.”
Andrews’ life and contributions to the college were celebrated at a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on May 28, to commemorate a new seating area established in his name, which is positioned along the Janet Harvey Trivette ’78 Alumni Walkway. At the ceremony, Lindgren said that “Ira left an indelible mark on the past, present and future of R-MC and the Ashland community. His inquiring mind, ethical grounding and compassionate heart permeate everything he does and every individual he touches; no one is left unchanged for the better for having encountered this fine man.” Andrews, who served as R-MC’s dean of students for 36 years, was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree from Randolph-Macon during its Commencement ceremony on May 29, 2010.
Andrews’ collective experience at R-MC spans more than 50 years. As a student, he was inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society and was a member of Clericus and the R-MC Glee Club. He also served as a Resident Assistant in Thomas Branch for two years. After graduating, Andrews earned a master of divinity degree from Emory University, where he was elected to Omicron Delta Kappa. He returned to R-MC as a professor of religious studies and was later appointed to serve as dean of students. He worked admirably through historic milestones such as the college’s change from an all-male campus to a co-educational one, and served under five R-MC presidents. He is also an ordained Methodist minister.
“Randolph-Macon has and continues to be such an important part of my life,” said Andrews. “I am deeply honored and moved by this most generous act, and the impact it will have on future generations.”
R-MC Campus Master Plan Begins
The Ira L. Andrews Freshmen Residence Hall is the first of many new projects planned for Phase One of the R-MC Campus Master Plan. Currently, the college is working with the Town of Ashland to relocate Smith Street. The road, which currently runs between the men’s varsity soccer field and the football practice field, will be moved about a block north, allowing for the expansion of athletic facilities.
Once Smith Street is relocated, the baseball field will be moved to the corner of the college property, where the Kappa Sigma Fraternity house and the old Smith Street previously resided. The move will improve the experience of athletes and fans by de-coupling the football and baseball fields. The football field will be moved to a north-south position. Once additional funds are raised, a new stadium to surround the football field will be built.
Also planned is the relocation of the college’s tennis courts. The brand-new courts will still be located on the west side of the railroad tracks, but further south, near the Ashland train station. The new location will also provide local residents with a venue for tennis that will be maintained by the college. The design of the courts was completed in December 2009 and construction began in spring 2010. A practice field is planned for the space currently occupied by the existing tennis courts.
Eventually, several new residence halls for seniors will join the Ira Andrews Freshmen Residence Hall. Renderings are currently in the final stages of development. In 2009, renovations to classroom spaces in Fox Hall were completed. The renovations include refurbishing classrooms with new furniture, upgrading audio visual equipment, wireless capabilities and lighting, and installing new windows and doors.