A message from the Vice President of Institutional Advancement
The BAC achieved steady philanthropic growth in 2010 and 2011. Grants and donations have yielded specific generosity for ventures such as: a student practice project in Roxbury in conjunction with the National Organization of Minority Architects Convention in Boston; Don Brown's Journal-Book. Designed in Boston, about the life and times of the BAC over a hundred and thirty year history (to be published in Spring 2012); Change Order sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Angelo Donghia Foundation, the BAC's conference convening educators, practitioners and accreditors to discuss how an innovative design education can better prepare the next generation of practitioners; continued exemplary funding from the Hideo Sasaki Foundation for advanced studios and lectures; and $1.95 million from Federal, State and City grants for the Green Alley/Urban Sustainability program that ushered the BAC into new areas of public support. Alumni events, Honors and Awards celebrations, a recent Thanks-for-Giving event, along with the Cascieri Lectureship in the Humanities and the AD 20/21 Gala yielded significant enthusiasm and record financial support for our programs.
Our work is being invigorated and accomplished by staff collaborations across all departments at the College, by the Strategic Plan, by focused development efforts, new Department Heads, a vital curriculum plan, outreach activities, and engaged leadership. Peter Steffian and Dana Rowan IA Committee Co-Chairs, together with BAC Board of Trustee Chairman Russ Feldman, Vice-Chairman Marc Pelletier, Chairman of the Second Century Legacy Society, Tad Stahl, Tony Tappé, President Ted Landsmark and I make up the advancement leadership team at this time. We are feeling proud of the BAC's programs and confident in our ability to attract financial support in the coming years.
The BAC can succeed in new and remarkable ways if we can leverage our Urban Sustainability funding into a Capital Improvements program; if our Annual fundraising for vital projects can reach an ever widening impact; if we can enjoin agencies, companies and foundations to support mutual community and programmatic interests; if we can increase the already extensive support of firms to hire students and sponsor the Practice Department "Gateway Projects"; and if we can continue to mentor and encourage students in an ever exemplary learning environment. Annually, we seek funds for vital, mission related activities that are essential for what we teach - curriculum development, and new learning and practice programs; for how we teach - digital equipment, electronic classrooms and faculty support; for where we teach - library systems, information literacy and online access; and for those who are engaged and purposeful learning. We are committed to urgent capital projects to improve the BAC learning environment: to finish 951 Boylston Street as a student center; to restore and renovate 320/322 Newbury Street as the center of teaching and learning: and to complete funding for the BAC Urban Sustainability initiative in Public Alley #444 project to install geothermal wells and rainwater recapture to recharge the depleted aquifer and to serve as an urban laboratory for Boston and beyond.
As the BAC will celebrate its 125th Anniversary in December 2014, we are considering the future in important ways. We are committed to perpetuate the values of those who have been and are now engaged in the College's mission and we would like to inspire our special friends to leave a legacy at the BAC, to make a "planned gift" now for the future. Bequests are made by people who want to make a difference in the lives of others, to demonstrate their interests and convictions, to enjoy the honor of being recognized, and the satisfaction of encouraging others to give, too. Whether you are contributing to the Annual Fund, starting a scholarship fund, planning a Legacy Gift, helping to finish a building or pledging a gift, your thoughtfulness and
generosity creates opportunities for BAC students to become leaders in design. The BAC's traditions are the living result of experience; we invite your continued engagement in sustaining the BAC and to embellish the patina of its legacy into the future.
Sincerely,
Christopher Cox, Vice President of Institutional Advancement