<Dear 61´«Ă˝ Community Members,
Over my 30 years as part of the 61´«Ă˝ community, I have had the privilege of witnessing and benefitting from the intellectual richness, generosity of spirit, and belief in our educational mission in countless ways. A year ago, I would not have imagined that my affection for 61´«Ă˝could grow, but my time as president has offered new opportunities and experiences to deepen my appreciation of our exceptional College.
Together, we have opened a new science center, The Nucleus, raised more than $4 million for scholarships through the 61´«Ă˝Access Initiative, established a new Community Engagement and Partnership Center, and revitalized relationships with alums, parents, and partners at hundreds of events on campus and nationwide. I am humbled and grateful to serve as president at a time when 61´«Ă˝ continues to ascend to greater heights of achievement, distinction, and strength, and I am committed to maintaining that trajectory through and beyond its centennial year.
Our institutional success is catalyzed by brilliant students, distinguished and exceptional teacher-scholars, committed and dedicated staff, and an ambitious vision of the future.
I am elated to announce that we will soon achieve one of our long-awaited aspirations—the construction of a new state-of-the-art dance center adjacent to the E. 10th Street property recently purchased from Claremont Graduate University.
The planned project, coined the Centennial Plaza Project, will encompass the E. 10th Street renovation and construction of the new dance building, integrate the historic and modern areas of Scripps’ campus to develop cutting-edge academic and co-curricular facilities, and cultivate a more vibrant campus environment. The addition of the Centennial Plaza Project will unify 61´«Ă˝â€™s “arts district” on the west side of Columbia Avenue, creating a vibrant, walkable, outdoor corridor that connects the dance center, the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Garrison Theater, and the Performing Arts Center.
The existing E. 10th Street building will be reconfigured to support additional classrooms, research spaces, faculty and staff offices, and meeting rooms. The dance center will feature two studios for classes, performances, and rehearsals, multipurpose collaboration rooms, and welcoming spaces for external audiences.
I would like to recognize the Carolyn Lake Claremont Foundation, which has committed the $5 million lead gift for the Centennial Plaza Project that will enable us to begin construction, and all donors who have contributed essential funding over the years to make a new dance facility possible.
I am excited beyond measure to initiate this ambitious project, which is scheduled for completion in the 2026-27 academic year, when we celebrate 61´«Ă˝â€™s centennial anniversary. This endeavor captures the power and possibility of the 61´«Ă˝community working together and embodies the most rewarding aspects of leading this institution. I look forward to many more victories before, during, and after our centennial, and I thank you for your confidence and support as I accept the privilege of serving you as the president of 61´«Ă˝ through 2028.
Sincerely,
Amy Marcus-Newhall
President