As Nazareth’s Centennial draws closer, many people are hard at work outlining plans to celebrate this incredible milestone. Not surprisingly, discussions about the Centennial often reference the past, the present, and the future. With that in mind, I would like to share some news with you that very much involves the past and the present, and also has promise for our Centennial and beyond.
Most students, faculty, and staff know that Golisano Academic Center was the Motherhouse for our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Sisters kept horses in a small paddock/barn between GAC and Golisano Training Center. When campus expanded in the early 2000s, the Sisters moved to their new home on French Road; the horses remained and continued to be lovingly cared for, in particular by Srs. Margaret Mary and Sienna. Many alumni, students, faculty, and staff fondly remember the stables being a popular stop on cross-campus walks.
This small cluster of wooden structures sat unused since the last horse passed away about a year ago. Unfortunately, the stables were not built to last. Their basic, open-air construction, harsh Western New York weather, and the simple passage of time have combined to make the stables’ structure increasingly compromised.
Recently the stable was professionally assessed and determined to be structurally unsound and unsafe. While not actively used, leaving unsafe structures in the middle of campus is a risk Nazareth can not take. Sadly, the stables must come down. The removal is best done when there are as few people on campus as possible. Therefore, the stable barn and fencing will be taken down on Monday, June 26.
As some are aware, a portion of the area around the stables serves as the final resting place for several horses and other pets of the Sisters of St. Joseph. These graves will be maintained and treated with the respect they deserve.
Of course, we have discussed this entire situation with the Sisters of St. Joseph, including Srs. Margaret Mary and Sienna. The Sisters understand, and there’s much sadness as well.
While this is bittersweet for all, the promising outcome of this tough decision is the opportunity — as part of our upcoming Centennial Celebration — to both honor the original use of this space and reimagine it for the next 100 years. One really interesting idea Nazareth Facilities has been working on is a concept design for a “Centennial Pavilion” at or near the site of the present stables. In honor of our heritage, the design is reminiscent of the barn and paddock and envisions a new campus venue that would enrich the student experience. With so many creative individuals across our Nazareth community, there may be enhancements to this idea that people would like to share, as well as entirely new and different suggestions. As we kick off the Centennial Celebration this fall, be on the lookout for information on ways to share your thoughts and creative ideas. We're looking forward to your input!
I’m sorry to have to bring you this news. The stables meant a lot to many people, as they should. I sincerely hope that the creative imagination and action we take as a campus community to honor and reimagine this space leads to something even greater, something that creates opportunities for meaningful connection and learning that exemplify Nazareth’s mission.
Most students, faculty, and staff know that Golisano Academic Center was the Motherhouse for our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Sisters kept horses in a small paddock/barn between GAC and Golisano Training Center. When campus expanded in the early 2000s, the Sisters moved to their new home on French Road; the horses remained and continued to be lovingly cared for, in particular by Srs. Margaret Mary and Sienna. Many alumni, students, faculty, and staff fondly remember the stables being a popular stop on cross-campus walks.
This small cluster of wooden structures sat unused since the last horse passed away about a year ago. Unfortunately, the stables were not built to last. Their basic, open-air construction, harsh Western New York weather, and the simple passage of time have combined to make the stables’ structure increasingly compromised.
Recently the stable was professionally assessed and determined to be structurally unsound and unsafe. While not actively used, leaving unsafe structures in the middle of campus is a risk Nazareth can not take. Sadly, the stables must come down. The removal is best done when there are as few people on campus as possible. Therefore, the stable barn and fencing will be taken down on Monday, June 26.
As some are aware, a portion of the area around the stables serves as the final resting place for several horses and other pets of the Sisters of St. Joseph. These graves will be maintained and treated with the respect they deserve.
Of course, we have discussed this entire situation with the Sisters of St. Joseph, including Srs. Margaret Mary and Sienna. The Sisters understand, and there’s much sadness as well.
While this is bittersweet for all, the promising outcome of this tough decision is the opportunity — as part of our upcoming Centennial Celebration — to both honor the original use of this space and reimagine it for the next 100 years. One really interesting idea Nazareth Facilities has been working on is a concept design for a “Centennial Pavilion” at or near the site of the present stables. In honor of our heritage, the design is reminiscent of the barn and paddock and envisions a new campus venue that would enrich the student experience. With so many creative individuals across our Nazareth community, there may be enhancements to this idea that people would like to share, as well as entirely new and different suggestions. As we kick off the Centennial Celebration this fall, be on the lookout for information on ways to share your thoughts and creative ideas. We're looking forward to your input!
I’m sorry to have to bring you this news. The stables meant a lot to many people, as they should. I sincerely hope that the creative imagination and action we take as a campus community to honor and reimagine this space leads to something even greater, something that creates opportunities for meaningful connection and learning that exemplify Nazareth’s mission.
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