Randolph-Macon College staff, faculty, students, alumni and friends celebrated the opening of the new Andrews Hall, a residence for freshmen, on Saturday, October 1, 2011. The formal dedication celebrated the college’s newest building and the man for whom it is named.

Click on Andrews Hall Dedication for a slideshow of photos from the event.

Andrews Hall, located at 420 Henry Street, officially opened to students in August 2011. Named in honor of Ira Andrews III ’59, RMC professor emeritus of religious studies and retired dean of students, the Hall is a 108-bed, suite-style facility. Amenities 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. A plaque inside Andrews Hall commemorates special donors who contributed to the construction of the building.

Due to uncertain weather conditions, the ceremony was held in the building’s spacious Common Room. Alan Rashkind ’69, chairman of the Board of Trustees, welcomed guests, and RMC Chaplain Darrell Headrick gave the invocation.

RMC President Robert R. Lindgren spoke to the exuberant crowd about the Hall—and the inspiration behind it.

“Andrews Hall is a tangible reflection of our financial stability and forward thinking,” said Lindgren. “It is an expression of extraordinary loyalty and generosity on the part of this college’s dedicated alumni and friends. “But most important, it is an abiding symbol of the love and respect that we collectively share for this building’s namesake, Ira Andrews. No one who has interacted with Ira over the years could have possibly come away untouched by the experience of his humanity. Generations of RMC graduates consider Ira Andrews their touchstone – the core of their fondest memories of this place.”

Construction of the Hall was made possible with a lead gift from Stuart and Frank E. “Pepper” Laughon ’59. Andrews and Pepper Laughon were hallmates in the 1950s and have remained close friends throughout the years. Lindgren thanked the Laughons for their dedication to the college.

“In one of the most noble, warm-hearted and extraordinarily gracious acts of generosity I have ever witnessed, the Laughons have epitomized the spirit of Randolph-Macon College,” said Lindgren. “That is why this important ceremony must simply include – despite their protestations – our heartfelt recognition of them for all they have done and continue to do for their, and our, beloved RMC, particularly here and now.”

Alumna Donna Klepper ’75 shared with guests her memories of life as one of the first women to attend RMC after the college became co-educational.

“When talking to my friends from RMC about our time at the college and those who impacted us the most, Dean Ira Andrews is the name that comes up universally,” said Klepper. “The stories are endless and end with genuine admiration for this man’s commitment to our development as responsible adults. He was everyone’s best friend, teacher and mentor— and at the same time our gentle leader on the pathway to adulthood.”

Josh Orndorff ’11, who worked with English Construction during summer 2011, helped construct the Hall, and he praised Andrews’ commitment to RMC students.

“As I was still in school, I was trading a hard hat for a book bag between work and classes all last year,” quipped Orndorff. “During my time at RMC as a Baily Scholar, Ira Andrews was a mentor and friend to me and many others. The Randolph-Macon family is so privileged to have him as a part of the community and to have this structure named the Ira L. Andrews Residence Hall.”

Andrews and his wife Anne were visibly moved by the ceremony, and Andrews’ speech evoked tears from many members of the audience.

“Anne and I are grateful for the high privilege we have enjoyed of decades of companionship with this excellent and caring community of faculty and staff, and of adventures with generations of wonderful students,” he said. “Most especially we are grateful for the extravagant generosity and treasured friendship of Pepper and Stuart Laughon, whose dedication to the college, and particularly to our students, is legendary and a model for us all.”

RMC Dean of Students Grant Azdell shared his admiration for Andrews and appreciation for those whose contributions helped make Andrews Hall a reality. Student Government Association President Erica Waters ’13 spoke on behalf of the student body, and Taylor Sanders ’12 led the alma mater. The program concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Following the event, guests were invited to tour Andrews Hall.