About NMH The Future

November E-news bulletin

Trustee Carol Ramsey ’70, chair of the Northfield Stewardship Committee, delivered a report about Northfield campus planning at the board’s fall meeting. Phase I work included research and a property profile by Bidwell Advisors.

President Richard W. Mueller ’62 discussed what the campus has to offer and solicited ideas at a meeting with the western Massachusetts Northern Tier study group, which is seeking ways to enhance economic development along Route 2 between Gardner and North Adams. A smaller group, including U.S. Rep. John Olver, D-Amherst, joined Mueller for a luncheon at NMH and tour of the campus.

Director of the Northfield Campus Initiative Carol Lebo contacted approximately 80 volunteers who expressed interest in serving as a Northfield campus advisor. She asked them to describe their areas of expertise; subgroups will be formed to support the work of the Northfield Stewardship Committee.

FACILITIES PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

New on the NMH website is information about facilities planning. You can view photos and architectural drawings of the two new student cottages and more. This information will be updated as construction and plans progress.

The board approved a proposal for a new admission building. It will be designed to create a homey atmosphere and sited at the threshold of the campus.

Head of School Tom Sturtevant expects to announce an architect for the new arts center by mid December. The rough budget has been set at $20 million.

Other near term projects include improvements to academic and athletic facilities. We will keep you apprised of these plans as they are developed.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

A new schedule is being refined, with the entire academic day taking place on the Mount Hermon campus as of next September. Director of Information Technology Jon Shannon and Registrar Elizabeth Nieckoski are building an electronic simulator to test scheduling configurations. The academic year will continue to be divided into trimesters, with three long periods a day instead of two. Students will still take two major courses each trimester.

Dean of Students Nicole Hager is leading the effort to support students as they anticipate the move to one campus. Class deans have visited the dorms for small group discussions, and at an all-school meeting, students gave presentations on their views of Northfield and Mount Hermon and offered ideas about bringing the two campus cultures together.

PHILANTHROPY

President Richard Mueller and Dean of Development Peter Ticconi, as well as members of the NMH capital gift staff, continue to travel around the country meeting with alumni and friends who are interested in supporting the school’s strategic initiatives and capital construction plans. William R. Rhodes ’53, chair of the NMH Board of Trustees, announces gifts from board members and partners in a letter you will receive soon.

In October the school closed a $63 million bond issue for refinancing and new facilities. The credit-enhanced bonds are guaranteed at an interest rate in the 4 percent range. The school’s financial plans are on track and in good condition. The bond financing teams we worked with complimented us on the strength and clarity of our strategic plans and financial model.

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