11/14/2007

On the crisp fall morning of November 7, 2007, the Country Day community gathered in the Front Circle to celebrate the completion of the Katrina Recovery Campaign. The November 7th date had special significance because it marked the anniversary of the date in 2005 when the first group of students returned to Country Day prior to the school’s full re-opening in January 2006. As they entered the Front Circle, students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and friends enjoyed beautiful New Orleans music by the Eric Trolson Band.

Head of School Carolyn Chandler thanked everyone for attending and for everything they did to help restore Country Day in the wake of Katrina. She paid special tribute to the work of the 2005-2006 Board of Trustees, and the Executive Committee, whose leadership during a time of crisis ensured the stability of our school. She also thanked the countless volunteers and the 813 donors whose gifts helped us reach our campaign goal of $5 million to cover Katrina-related expenses and losses.

Wendy Beron, Chair of the Board of Trustees, thanked Carolyn Chandler for her leadership as well. She also noted the extraordinary efforts of Tommy Coleman, who served as chair of the board during the Katrina crisis.

Carolyn and Wendy both praised the historic fundraising efforts led by Katrina Recovery Campaign Chair John Georges. Under John's leadership, the school conducted its most successful fundraising campaign ever achieved in one year. In his inspiring remarks, John challenged Country Day students to reach out beyond our campus and to make a difference in other areas of the city which have not yet recovered to the same extent as Country Day.

Finally, Carolyn Chandler unveiled the sculpture entitled Waterline No. 1 by Arthur Silverman. As the fabric slid away from the piece, the students and all other attendees erupted into applause. Dr. Silverman was delighted to be able to join us for this ceremony and spent the remainder of the day on campus meeting with students to discuss his work.

At the base of the sculpture, lies a plaque in honor of the Katrina Recovery Campaign. It reads:

THE KATRINA RECOVERY CAMPAIGN

In so much as the waters will rise, so shall the spirit exceed.

IN RECOGNITION OF THE COUNTLESS HOURS DONATED BY VOLUNTEERS TO HELP RESTORE OUR SCHOOL AND THE 813 DONORS WHOSE GENEROSITY MADE POSSIBLE OUR RECOVERY

WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO:

DATHEL & TOMMY COLEMAN
DOTTIE & JIMMY COLEMAN
MARY CLARE & DANNY CONWILL
DATHEL & JOHN GEORGES
METAIRIE PARK COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
VIRGINIA & MICHAEL WHITE


About the Artist
Almost 30 years ago, Dr. Arthur Silverman began distinguishing regional cityscapes with monumental metal sculptures. In New Orleans alone, approximately 23 buildings feature his sculpture, including Tulane University, Temple Sinai and Touro Medical Center. His work is collected across the country, including representation in five national museums, distinguished corporate collections such as Landmark Systems Corporation, Washington, DC, Smart Corporation in Atlanta, Bay Colony Development Corporation in Waltham, MA and Malone & Hyde, Memphis as well as important private collections such as the Frederick R. Weisman Foundation, Los Angeles and the Fisher Family Collection, San Francisco. National and international publications have featured Dr. Silverman's work for its technical and aesthetic achievement. Waterline No. 1 will be the second Silverman piece to become part of the Country Day collection. A previous piece entitled Engineer Sculpture 1993 was donated by the artist in honor of David A. Hunter, Jr. 1950.