Over 200 guests from the design, architecture, and construction communities gathered for breakfast on the Fourth Floor Friday, June 26 to support the Charter High School for Architecture + Design. Guests were delighted by live cello music, displays of student work, and fashions on student models.
The program kicked off with a welcome from Chris Lee, Chairman of the Designing Futures Foundation (DFF) which presents the event each year. Susan Poglinco, President of the Board of Directors, also spoke and introduced our guests from the Women in Architecture committee of the Philadelphia AIA: Karen Blanchard and Alesa Rubendall. They presented Malika Baines and Tiffany Nguyen of the *CHAD class of 2015 with scholarships $2,500 each.
This year’s alumna speaker was Chardai Jackson, class of 2008, who described eloquently how her experience at *CHAD gave her the skills and tools to succeed. She gives credit to our ‘awesome’ school for her success in securing a position with Jones Lang LaSalle. Ms. Jackson is currently the Assistant Facilities Manager for Lankenau Hospital.
Lisa Roberts was unable to attend due to the recent death of her father. A letter from Ms. Roberts to retiring Head of School Peter Kountz, Ph.D. was read by Courtnay Tyus. Ms. Roberts recalled the beginning of the recent successful fund-raising effort to expand the *CHAD library — her charitable trust provided the crucial matching grant. She announced that the new library will be named the Peter J. Kountz Library. Dr. Kountz then spoke of his appreciation, his years at *CHAD, and his future as an ordained Episcopal priest.
Philip Glick, Vice President of the DFF, introduced the day’s honoree, Gerard (Jerry) Sweeney of Brandywine Realty Trust. Mr. Sweeney spoke of the parallels between how a developer changes the trajectory of a neighborhood and *CHAD changes the trajectory of student’s lives.
The morning ended with the recognition of the new leader of CHAD: Gregory Wright, CEO, and a toast to designing futures.