Remarks below are my words this evening dedicating the new math building on our Upper Division Campus:
The new W.R. Johnston Math Building symbolizes our school’s commitment to excellence and to our deep commitment to the hopes and aspirations of our students now and for many years to come. As our motto ‘Fideliter and Fortiter’ proclaims, we’ve delivered on our promise to the Casady community to step faithfully and boldly into our future.
I’d like to thank the Forward Focus Campaign Committee, led by Katie and Aubrey McClendon and Louise and Clay Bennett. I’d also like to thank Mark McCubbin and all the tireless volunteers who worked on behalf of the campaign and our School. I’d like to thank the Board of Trustees for their support and for their wise and prudent counsel. I’d like to thank the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, particularly our Bishop for the support and belief in our School and our mission. I’d like to thank the faculty and staff who shared their vision for a facility to best meet the needs of our students now for many years to come. I’d like to thank the architects, ADG, our contractors, Smith and Pickel, and our owners’ representative, Larry Wallis. And, a special thank you to Nathan Sheldon for his incredible attention to detail, his commitment to excellence and his enduring good humor throughout this process.
The Johnston building stands on the footprint once occupied by the Lee Lecture Hall. The incredible generosity the Lee family extended to the school in the construction of that building will be memorialized within the space and recognition for their contributions will be honored permanently. Without supporters like the Lee family and so many others over the past 63 years, Casady School would simply not be able to reach the level of excellence we’ve attained, year in and year out. Thank you for your support and belief in our School.
The Forward Focus Campaign arose out of a long-range planning process that identified important priorities for the School. Publicly launched in 2007, by the Fall of 2009 we had raised more than 45 Million Dollars – an incredible achievement that has greatly contributed to the financial health of our School and that has ensured the long-term sustainability of our physical, programmatic, and fiscal health.
Through the recent economic downturn we have persevered as a School and as a community. Our strong heritage as Oklahomans and as members of the Casady community, position us well to find and use resources effectively, creatively, and efficiently to achieve the goals we set for ourselves. I’m very happy to report to you that we’ve completed the first capital project on time and on budget! The fact that we had, and will continue to require, 100% of the cash necessary to begin capital projects is a threshold we as an institution, are committed to. Sound financial management and a commitment to ensure the long-term health of Casady is a guiding principal that will contribute to our growth as a school and our ability to meet the needs of each of our students.
The green features incorporated into the Johnston building are remarkable. From recycled laundry detergent bottles recast as bathroom partitions, super-efficient fluorescent lighting, and high levels of recycled content in building materials, to greatly improved acoustics, low VOC materials to reduce pollutants, and high levels of daylighting, the W.R. Johnston building is an example of excellence in architecture and health, both for our students and our planet.
The 3.2 miles of geothermal loops submerged in our lake will provide a source of energy to heat and cool both the math building and the chapel. Not only are we predicting a 30% reduction in operational costs due to this technology, we’re also now using one of our most aesthetically pleasing features of our campus for real environmental and economic benefit. And, if that weren’t enough, research shows clearly that students who learn in ‘green’ buildings with sufficient attention paid to acoustics, air quality, and natural light make academic gains beyond those who learn in traditional structures.
Standing in the shadow of the Johnston building and looking forward to the future, I’m eager to begin work to complete funding for and to begin construction on the new science and art building that will occupy the space where Vose and Woods sit today. We’ve engaged our architects to design a space that includes state-of-the-art science labs, research facilities, and now, studios for the visual arts.
The pursuit of scientific truth is similar to the creation of a work of art. Artists and scientists must understand how to ask critical questions and follow processes designed to bring deeper understanding, both aesthetically, and intellectually, to our world. Bringing these two departments together under a shared roof will promote mutual benefits for students in both disciplines will free up space to give our performing arts sufficient room to enhance what is already a remarkably accomplished program.
In mind, body, and spirit, our mission is to prepare students for life. I applaud the work you’ve done within the scope of our mission, I appreciate the guidance and support you’ve provided to reach this milestone, and most importantly, I am humbled by the energy and dedication that each of you has shown in pursuit of the finest education for each of our students.
