On March 4, the morning fog lifted and let the sun shine through just as the Storm King School community gathered to celebrate a historic milestone: the groundbreaking of the School’s new Academic Center. Students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and members of the local community came together in front of Dyar Hall to mark the beginning of a project that will shape teaching and learning at Storm King for generations to come.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome from Director of Development Sarah Fulton, who thanked the community for joining in the celebration. The Storm King Choir opened the event by singing the School’s Alma Mater, setting a spirited and reflective tone for the morning. Head of School Lisa Shambaugh then addressed the crowd, placing the moment in the context of Storm King’s long history. She reflected on a similar dedication ceremony held in 1959 for Ogden, Highmount, and Dyar Hall, recalling how former Head of School Warren Leonard once said that dreams come true “if enough people work hard, have faith, and are backed up by generosity.” “That spirit has guided us on the path to building this new Academic Center,” Ms. Shambaugh said. “This project has been made possible by the hard work, faith, and generosity of so many people in this community.”
The new building, designed by John D. Fuller P.E., P.C. of Port Jervis, New York, will feature ten spacious classrooms, collaborative learning areas, and the Warren Leonard Lobby, a large gathering space designed to bring the community together. It will also include a dedicated faculty room, a courtyard, and a large terrace that will take advantage of Storm King’s stunning outdoor setting and views.
Ms. Shambaugh also recognized the partners who will help bring the project to life, including Ramon Gonzalez and Triple R Development as the general contractor and Erik Collier of Collier Construction as the project’s owner’s representative. The Head of School expressed deep gratitude to the many donors who made the project possible, including generous gifts from Michael Fischer ‘82 and David Slap ‘75, as well as a recent anonymous donation that moved the project significantly closer to full funding. In total, more than 80 donors have contributed to the Academic Center campaign.
The ceremony also featured a moving reading of “The Builders” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, recited by senior Keiyona J. ’26. The poem, which reflects on the idea that each generation helps build the future, resonated strongly with the occasion.
Speaking on behalf of the Storm King School Board of Trustees, Vice Chair Robert Docherty ’72 highlighted the significance of the project as part of the School’s long-term strategic vision. “This marks a giant step forward in implementing our strategic plan and strengthening the academic and residential experience for our students,” Mr. Docherty said. “Storm King has thrived for nearly 160 years because it continues to adapt and grow while preserving the traditions that make this community so special.” Mr. Docherty also thanked the many people who helped bring the project to fruition, including the Board of Trustees, school leadership, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, and members of the surrounding community.
Throughout the ceremony, the excitement among students was high. Many expressed enthusiasm about what the new Academic Center will mean for their learning experience. “I think it’s amazing that we get to watch something like this happen while we’re still here,” said sophomore Eylul B. ‘28. “I’m excited about the bigger classrooms.” Freshman Ronan K. ’29 shared a similar sentiment: “The classrooms and labs sound amazing,” he said. “I’m excited thinking about all the projects and experiments we’ll be able to do.” For Keiyona, a graduating senior, participating in the ceremony was especially meaningful. “Reading “The Builders” made me think about how each class contributes something to Storm King,” she said. “This building will be part of the legacy we leave for the students who come after us.”
The highlight of the morning came when school leaders, trustees, and student representatives took turns holding ceremonial shovels to officially break ground on the new Academic Center. Cheers and applause echoed across campus as the first shovels touched the earth, marking the start of construction. Following the ceremony, all were invited to continue the celebration with a reception in the dining hall.
The new Academic Center represents an important step in the School’s strategic plan, Enduring Strength, Limitless Possibilities, and reflects Storm King’s ongoing commitment to providing innovative learning environments for its students. As the ceremony concluded, one thing was evident: the groundbreaking was not just the start of a construction project, but the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the history of The Storm King School.
