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Remarks delivered by George J. Hagerty, President on the occasion of
the dedication of Peterson Hall, Thursday, October 21, 2004
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Photo Album of Event
First, I would like to wish Walter a belated happy birthday.
However, I feel as though we are the ones receiving the gift. I?d like
to thank Walter and Dorothy for allowing us to honor their many years
of service to the College. It is a privilege to dedicate one of the
original buildings on campus in honor of them.
Twenty years, Walter?s extraordinary tenure, is close to half the
lifespan of this community. Numerous buildings and improvements were
added to define a young College campus during Walter?s presidency: the
Emily Flint Campus Center, Mountainview and Northwoods apartments,
Hampshire Court and the reconstruction of Crestview, to name a few,
but the centerpiece of campus has remained, until today, the Manor.
The College?s main administration building has had many lives:
headquarters for a Boy Scout camp, the summer of home of an actress in
the 1940?s, and a country inn. I assure you that its finest years are
ahead as Walter and Dorothy Peterson Hall. It is my hope that Peterson
Hall will inspire those who visit it, work in it, or study in it to
lead lives in harmony with those of its namesakes.
I had the distinct privilege of being introduced to Walter Peterson
eighteen years ago at a meeting in Washington. Although he did not
know me, as at the time I was a junior college official accompanying a
presidential delegation, he took time to ask what I did, what my
interests were and whether I?d ever been to New Hampshire. (As you
know, Walter?s a great pitchman for the Granite State!)
It was the mark of the man. Walter?s interested in people and what
they do and how he can help. When I next met Walter during the
interview process for my position today, he was quick to point out
that a college presidency is richly fulfilling but at times lonely and
difficult. He extolled the virtue of having a strong person beside you
in good times and bad. And then he spoke of Dorothy, a partner who
shares his commitment to service and acts as his most cherished
counsel. They have served together in so many capacities that it is
unimaginable that two lives could have done so much, touched so many,
and done such good.
Laura and I have attempted to live by their example. It is a daunting
task and the standards are exceptionally high.
I know that in my position today, I stand on the shoulders of a giant,
one who had the vision for a superior undergraduate institution and
set in motion the means to achieve it. During Walter?s time as
President of Franklin Pierce, the College instituted the Individual
and Community, our core curriculum. Prominent among the goals of this
curriculum is to prepare leaders of conscience for this new century. I
am certain that you recognize the defining features of such
individuals in the lives of the couple we honor today.
Leaders of conscience are:
- Principled in all matters
- They are balanced in defining and
weighing options
- They are decisive in pursuing a
chosen course
- They are open to new ideas
- They seek always to improve upon the
current condition
- They are careful in the judgment of
others
- Gentle in the care of the souls of
those they influence
- They inspire and nurture similar
qualities in others
Together, the Petersons have guided and
nurtured this College to its current enviable station. By their
devotion to each other and to the cause of service they hold dear,
they lead by example and this community, among so many others, is the
beneficiary. It is for this reason that I join the College?s
Board of Trustees in dedicating our administration building as Walter
and Dorothy Peterson Hall this 21st day of October, 2004.
I would now like to call upon Walter and Dorothy to join the Chairman
of the Board, Christopher J. Flynn, and Vice Chair Lloyd Astmann for
the unveiling of the portrait which will grace Peterson Hall. |