St Ignatius High School - Ignatian Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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14 Seniors

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DEVELOPMENT INSURES FUTURE One of the following words or phrases has been repeated more often than any other in this past year. Which one is it? Wildcats, ' 77, the Ignatian, it's 2:10, Senior slump, or development? If you say de-I velopment, you're probably right. Development became a much-t used word in '76-'77 due to the implementation of a new program calling for construction, expansion, j and renovation of the Ignatius campus. Fr. Robert Welsh, S.J., was ap-r pointed Development Director, and he, in cooperation with Fr. James O'Reilly, S.J., Carl White, and Tom O'Donnell, spear-headed the drive to gain capital in excess of 7.5 million dollars. The attempts to secure the money were conducted in several ways. The Development Team, consisting of the four previously mentioned men, spoke, either separately or in groups, to corpora- tions, foundations, and wealthy individuals in an effort to obtain ’ large amounts of capital. Also, alumni were contacted and asked to donate either their time or money. When questioned about asking wealthy people for money, Fr. O'Reilly replied, I don't think of myself when I'm doing it; I think of the students and the future. Fr. O'Reilly also said, 1 think the people who are asked to help are doing a great job. The mechanics of the program are divided into several phases. The first phase encompassed the Learning Center, which contains a new library and additional space for group learning endeavors. The Learning Center, begun in February, is the former Carroll Gym, built in 1913. The following construction will include renovation of Loyola Hall and the Main Building and construction of an Arts and Music Center (formerly Slavin's Furniture Store), a Social Service Center, a West 30th Street Mall, an intramural practice field, and a companion building for the Sullivan Gym. All this should take approximately three years to complete, barring any unforseen problems. At the root of the Development is a reason for the multi-million dollar program. Fr. Welsh states: As the Jesuits entered their ninetieth year here at the school and saw the need to renovate and to plan where education would go in the future, they reached a moment of decision. It was necessary to decide whether to expand and improve the facilities in order to continue providing the students with a quality education or whether to pull back and continue with a smaller school until an eventual closing. The two people seen busily working in the former Teachers' Lounge are Mr. and Mrs. Walter Weisman, professional fundraisers. They have helped to raise funds for such noteworthy endeavors as the Lakewood Hospital and the Beck Center for Performing Arts. Incidentally, their salaries are being taken care of by benefactor contributions. Mr. Robert Corna has been chosen as architect, and he has displayed a rare show of enthusiasm in regards to the program. It's the kind of thing you can really get yourself involved in. If the environment begins to fall down, the quality of education will also. Mr. Coma's plans are designed to adapt St. Ignatius to a student body much like the present one. He emphasizes that the changes are not an enrollment booster, but rather, the construction, expansion, and renovation are necessary to update the quality of learning. Skeptics were surprised at the progress of the Learning Center. In the next three years buildings will be changed, raised, and constructed at an amazing rate in building the St. Ignatius of the future. Having been appointed Development Director. Fr. Robert Welsh. S.J.. spent many hours talking to potential contributors to the capital drive. Feature 13

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The growth process has reached a climax. We are Ignatians. Whatever Ignatius has become over the past four years we are reflections of. We, more than any other class, shaped the way in which Ignatius has grown. Now is a time for reflection on the growth process having taken place. We are a class full of talented people. Professionally performed plays. Excellence in sports. Award winning publications. We had it all. There were classes in the past with as much talent as the Class of 1977, but none went about showing this talent quite like we did. There are many fond and not so fond memories attached to the Seniors of the Class of 1977. Remember the Eds rally? How about Lumberjack Day? And the more numerous and less talked about schedule of classes? The Class of 1977 is known for much more than the good things it did for St. Ignatius High School. We have grown and we have regressed. We have had a multitude of experiences, not all of which can be seen as good and constructive. Through it all, there is a meaning, a purpose behind what we have done. There has to be if St. Ignatius is a valid institution. And it is. We must have learned something through our victories and our defeats. The Class of 1977 has given all of itself to St. Ignatius over the past four years. It has received much in return. The memory of the experiences, good or bad, shall remain and be carried on throughout life and ultimately shall help shape life. ddrafruates