Changing Face: Enduring Values

The generosity of Edward S. Harkness in the early 1930s brought about major changes at Exeter: the introduction of the Harkness teaching plan, expansion of the faculty and student body, and the construction of Jeremiah Smith, the Thompson Science Building, Phillips Hall, and new dormitories. Seventy years later, the Harkness principle of engaging students and faculty in the real exploration of learning remains at the heart of Academy life. As Exeter embarks on construction and renovation projects that will impact campus as dramatically as those of the 1930s, the philosophy of Harkness teaching-and all that the Harkness table stands for-is central to planning for the future.

With the construction of Phelps Science Center and important renovations slated for the coming years, the face of Exeter is changing. This summer crews have been hard at work on extensive improvements to Cilley Hall that will serve as a model for the renovation of Amen Hall and other dormitories in the future. The Academy is currently seeking funds for ambitious renovations to Phillips Church. The Thompson Science Building, which will be free for other uses with the projected move of the science department into the Phelps Center in the fall of 2001, will require extensive remodeling. The scope of these projects has been informed by the Academy Master Plan (AMP), a joint initiative undertaken by faculty and trustees over the past year. Designed to identify the challenges facing Exeter in the future and to define priorities, the AMP seeks to strengthen and expand opportunities for Harkness learning in every area of Academy life.

Cilley Hall and Phillips Church have been in need of basic maintenance and refurbishment for some time. Thompson's central location on campus provides a unique opportunity to impact all aspects of campus life. In each case, however, renovation proposals have considered far more than bricks and mortar. Proposals for the renovations and their importance to programs were drafted by committees of faculty, students and staff who met widely with groups on campus and explored the impact of the projects on residential and academic concerns.

To better understand the renovation proposals, The Bulletin met with faculty and students who served on the committees or consulted with them. We wanted to know more about the process that led to their recommendations and their views on the need for changes in facilities. Interviewed for this article were: Russell Weatherspoon, instructor in religion and member of the Cilley Hall Committee; Kathy Brownback, dean of students and chair of both the Cilley Hall Committee and Thompson Planning Committee; Peter Greer '58, instructor in English and chair of the Phillips Church Committee; Maribel Hernandez '00, member of the Thompson Planning Committee; Trevor Crowell '00, Phillips Church proctor; Aizaz Ali '00, resident of Cilley Hall; and Robert Thompson '72, school minister and member of the Phillips Church Committee. What follows are their remarks.

Bulletin: The renovation and remodeling projects currently underway or planned for the near future on campus-to the Cilley and Amen dormitories, Thompson Science Building, and Phillips Church-have been designed to bring the Harkness philosophy to all areas of school life, including residential life. How do you see the incorporation of Harkness ideals beyond the classroom and what difference do you think these efforts will make?

Trevor Crowell '00: We are in class throughout the day. What happens outside the classroom is influenced by what we do around the Harkness table. When we have discussions in the dorms at night, or in our weekly dorm meetings, these are Harkness discussions. Anything that encourages interaction on campus is encouraging Harkness discussion. If you're interacting with others, you're being generous. You're benefiting from their ideas and they from yours. Anything we do to facilitate interaction is fostering the Harkness ideals. Even something like getting phones in the dorms and email for everyone on campus facilitates communication.

Aizaz Aki '00: I've heard this comment from a lot of Exeter graduates who come back to visit, that you don't get the same kinds of conversations in the classrooms or dorms at college that you have at Exeter. In normal, everyday discussions, kids at Exeter really engage with each other. It's second nature. Outside the classroom, you have the same type of conversation you have in the classroom. People at Exeter bring the Harkness experience into their personal lives throughout campus. It gets ingrained in who we are.

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