Design perfection.
For an alphabetical index of the New England College series of pieces, click here.
Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (phew!), (1757 – 1834) was one of America’s greatest patriots, fighting with distinction in the Revolutionary War against the British, though French born. Maryland’s legislature honored Lafayette by making him and his male heirs “natural born Citizens” of the state, which made him a natural born citizen of the United States (Wikipedia). Lafayette College in Pennsylania is named after the great man who somehow managed to die in his bed, surviving the French Terror, the guillotine, despite being of noble birth and being around at the time heads were rolling. A republican for the ages.
Lafayette College in Easton was formed in 1826 and is set in a truly glorious site atop College Hill. We were very fortunate to be able to tour it on a warm day, assisted by the best tour guide booklet yet. There are 2,445 students here, taught by 215 full time faculty members, 99% of whom hold a doctorate or other terminal degree. The 340 acre campus is home to 60 buildings, with a separate 230 acre athletic campus, all supported by a solid endowment.
The Admissions Building.
The great man.
Transcendence, 2008, honoring David McDonogh, the first African American to be granted a degree from the college, in 1844.
Watson Hall, one of the dorms.
The Hugel Science Center for physics, chemistry and biochemistry.
Scott Hall, the Dean’s home.
The Kirby Hall of Civil Rights.
Inside Kirby Hall.
A view of the main quad in all its summer glory.
South College, the largest dorm, home to 220 men and women.
Van Wickle Hall houses the Departments of Geology and Environmental Geosciences. Completed in 1900.
The David Bishop Skillman Library, a recipient of the Excellence in Academic Libraries Award in 2014.
Inside the Library.
The Farinon College Center is the center for student activities.
Hogg Hall (pronounced ‘Hoag’) is the Office of Career Services.
From the College’s extensive sculpture collection.
Another.
Yet more.
The Simon Center for Economics, named after former US Energy and Treasury Secretary, William E. Simon. Bill was my boss in his merchant bank during the period 1988-93.
This hyper-kinetic man wore bottle lenses which served to amplify his already piercing eyes.
Pardee Hall, designed by John McArthur, Jr, the architect of Philadelphia City Hall. Designed in the Second Empire style it burned to the ground in 1879, being replaced with an identical building in 1881. They built them fast back then. The Hall houses the College Writing Program and German studies.
Grossman House, a special residence hall for students interested in global topics.
The Williams Center for the Arts includes a 400 seat theater and concert hall.
Lafayette has one of the oldest competitive sports records with nearby Lehigh University, the football rivalry dating back to 1884.
Notable alumni include Bill Simon, Henry Kissinger, Stephen Crane and Joel Silver.