The independent Pennington School welcomed students to its Kenneth Kai Tai Yen Humanities Building on Tuesday, Jan. 26, marking the first day of classes in the technologically advanced building.
Dr. William S. Hawkey, headmaster, and other school administrators greeted students entering the building for the first time.
The Kai Tai Yen building provides almost 30,000 square feet of classroom, faculty and meeting space, all flooded with natural light. A two-story atrium, the Joseph L. and Marion M. Wesley Forum, offers a gathering space for larger meetings.
The offices of global studies, community service, school chaplain, college guidance, and the Horizon senior internship program are all found within the building, as well as the administration of the school’s Cervone Center for Learning program.
Kenneth Kai Tai Yen is the chairman of the Yulon Group, a motor car manufacturer, in Taiwan. The naming of the building after one of Pennington’s most distinguished international graduates “makes visible the school’s commitment to global understanding and interaction,” said a press release.
Inside, students and faculty have inviting and comfortable spaces to work together, exploring the best that the world’s civilizations have to offer.
Peter J. Tucci ’79, chair of Pennington’s Board of Trustees and the parent of two daughters in their senior year at Pennington, said: “Ken’s gift for this new building is visionary and speaks volumes about Pennington’s commitment to global programs, the success of Pennington’s alumni throughout the world, and the importance of giving back. It is our hope that Ken’s generosity will inspire others to make a significant investment in Pennington’s future, in accordance with their means.”
The building is the largest component of a master plan that will transform the educational experience at the Pennington School.
In addition to the newly opened building, construction plans include:
Renovating Stainton Hall to become a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) building;
Restoring Old Main as the historic center of the school to house administrative offices for the headmaster, deans and admission;
Re-engineering Meckler Library to serve changing needs of students, and
Reshaping campus access and driveways to create a pedestrian-only campus.
The school’s five-year capital campaign, “Building for the Future,” has exceeded its initial goal of raising $10 million and is anticipating reaching its current goal of $20 million by 2018.
The Pennington School is an independent co-educational school for students in grades 6 through 12, has both day and boarding programs.
