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An enthusiastic gathering of trustees, students, faculty, staff, and alumni officially welcomed Ramer History House, Lafayette’s newest academic building, to the campus Friday at a dedication ceremony featuring remarks by Lawrence J. Ramer ’50. (A slideshow is available on the Homecoming web site.)
The new home of the Department of History is named for Larry Ramer, former chair of the Board of Trustees, and his wife, Ina Lee Ramer, in appreciation for their dedication to academic excellence at Lafayette. It is the second campus building named in honor of the Ramers, who are sustaining members of the Marquis Society and members of the Societe d’Honneur. Ramer Hall, a student residence, opened in 1991.
“Lafayette College has been important for me. This college took a chance on me many years ago when it had no particular reason to do so,” said Ramer, upon whom Lafayette conferred an honorary doctorate in 1992.
He praised his wife’s perseverance in making sure the Ramers give back to the college, saying she “considers philanthropy to be an integral part of life.”
Larry Ramer is chairman of Ramer Equities, Inc. He majored in economics at Lafayette and earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He was elected a trustee in 1976 and was chair from 1992 to 2001, when he became a trustee emeritus. The Ramers are active in cultural and civic organizations in Los Angeles, where they reside, and beyond. They have three children: Stephanie, Susan ’83, and Douglas.
“What a great building this is,” Board Chair Alan R. Griffith ’64 told an overflow crowd.
“Ramer History House is a manifestation of our commitment to providing an educational environment that is unsurpassed,” President Dan Weiss said. Weiss paid special tribute to the Ramers’ generosity and provided perspective on the building’s impact on Lafayette’s academic program, as did Anthony M. Cummings, provost and dean of the faculty.
Deborah Rosen, professor and head of the Department of History, joined Weiss in bestowing accolades on the Ramers.
“Your generosity will have an impact not only on today’s students, but for generations to come,” she said.
Larry Ramer also singled out former Lafayette President Arthur J. Rothkopf ’55, who initiated the project, and his wife Barbara S. Rothkopf.
Ramer History House has been in use for classes since the beginning of the semester. Designed by KSS Architects LLP of Philadelphia, it provides a dynamic 21st-century learning environment in a building that maintains its distinctive Georgian style. The first floor features a classroom and two seminar rooms with state-of-the-art audio-visual capabilities and an attractive entry lobby. The second and third floors contain a student study room, faculty and staff offices, and kitchenette.
The transformation of the former Theta Delta Chi fraternity house began in December, and history faculty and staff moved to the facility from their previous location in Fretz House, located adjacent to campus on Cattell Street, during the summer.
“Not only do we feel more a part of the college community, but we are more accessible to students,” said Rosen, who also thanked the department faculty and staff for their help in making the building a reality.
“I’m very happy that now the history department will be integrated into everything Lafayette provides us as students,” said Christian S. Dato ’07, a history and government & law major from Poway, Calif., joking that the faculty seems happy with the building and “quite frankly, happier history professors mean easier pop quizzes for us.”
Many remarked about the technological aspects of the building. Computers have wireless accessibility, including keyboards, providing students unfettered access to all the educational opportunities the campus has to offer.
Indeed, all present searched for superlatives to describe the building whose rich history in the Lafayette community was recalled vividly. Some remembered their days as members of Theta Delta Chi.
“I’m so happy that it is refurbished and has a new life,” said Stephen B. Hiltabidle ’51. “The architects have done a super job.”