Hawken to Open Extension Campus at University Circle

Hawken School has announced that it will expand its Cleveland presence by establishing an urban extension campus dedicated to experiential service learning in University Circle. A generous gift from Sally and Bob Gries will help Hawken School move forward with its investment, which will be named the Hawken School Sally and Bob Gries Center at University Circle. The vision is to connect Hawken students with some of the greatest cultural organizations, research laboratories and hospitals in the world for meaningful service and hands-on learning experiences. \"Hawken has always impressed us with its ability to improve, adapt and evolve to educate students and help them grow into caring and capable leaders,\" says Bob Gries, a 1944 graduate of Hawken School. \"We feel very passionate about Hawken`s presence in University Circle and the wonderful service and learning opportunities it will generate.\" The property, which is being purchased from the Western Reserve Historical Society, is located at 10924 Magnolia Drive, and has been commonly known as the \"Ferris House.\" Hawken anticipates an investment of approximately $3.5 million for renovations and programming and will continue to pursue philanthropic support. \"We believe students need authentic experience in the real world to make meaning from knowledge and consider Cleveland and the global community to be extensions of our classrooms,\" says Head of School D. Scott Looney. \"Hawken is the first suburban independent school in the region, and one of the first suburban independent schools in the nation to create an urban extension campus of this kind. It is just one of many forward-focused steps we are pursuing to help Hawken students navigate a complex and dynamic world.\" The expansion also honors Hawken`s roots-the original school was founded in 1915 just blocks away at 1572 Ansel Road. Hawken will continue to serve students from its two campuses in the Cleveland suburbs of Lyndhurst and Gates Mills. \"The City of Cleveland has lost so much to urban sprawl,\" says University Circle Inc. Executive Director Chris Ronayne. \"Hawken`s migration back to the city is a powerful statement for Cleveland and an important and positive contribution to the civic psyche.\" Hawken plans to open the campus to students as early as fall 2009. Learn more about the Gries Center at University Circle Sally and Bob Gries Biographies