{"id":9,"date":"2016-10-03T17:14:23","date_gmt":"2016-10-03T17:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magazine.hmc.edu\/summer-2016\/?p=9"},"modified":"2016-10-06T09:01:41","modified_gmt":"2016-10-06T16:01:41","slug":"where-friends-gather","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.hmc.edu\/summer-2016\/where-friends-gather\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Friends Gather"},"content":{"rendered":"

It all began with a gathering of friends in 1960.<\/strong> Made up mainly of Claremont residents, the group was first called Honorary Alumni by the board of trustees since, at the time, the College had no alumni. These early friends attended College functions, met with students and faculty and were faithful donors. Over the next two years, the College\u2019s first classes graduated and it was determined that the group should be renamed. It just so happened that 1964 was the 400th anniversary of the birth of Galileo Galilei, the architect of the scientific revolution of the 17th century. The trustees and faculty conferred and agreed that the group\u2019s new name should be the Galileo Society.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The lobby area transformation\u00a0began during summer 2016.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For many years, the Galileo Society was led by trustee Gerald R. Case, a certified public accountant, and the namesake of Case Residence Hall (it is named for Florence H. and Gerald R. Case). The group held luncheons and dinners at which they met the students they supported and heard from faculty and administration. During the campaign of the 1970s (Impact\/72), the Galileo Society provided the funds to build the lecture hall area in Project Libra (encompassing work on the auditoria, the Keck wing, Sprague Library and Jacobs laboratories). Their area was named Galileo Hall, and separate auditoria were named for members of the society or their family members: Pryne, McAlister and Edwards.<\/p>\n

\"In<\/a>
In this photo from the 1980s, former HMC Board of\u00a0Trustees Chair Henry T. Mudd examines his likeness.\u00a0The bronze bust, created by Los Angeles sculptor\u00a0Lewis Cohen, will return to the refurbished lobby.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Completed in the early 1970s, the auditoria have hosted roster signings, guest lecturers, classes and many more College events. After extensive renovations, the auditoria\u2014as well as the lobby and ancillary rooms\u2014will be brightened and modernized while retaining a similar function and feel of the beloved Galileo Hall, where friends will continue to gather.<\/p>\n

\"From<\/a>
From learning to lounging, the\u00a0Galileo Hall spaces have been well\u00a0used. (Photo circa late 1990s)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Work is expected to be completed by April 30, 2017<\/h2>\n

Highlights of the Galileo project include:<\/h3>\n