Aug 01, 2011 - Claremont, Calif. -

Harvey Mudd College’s Thomas-Garrett Hall was more than just a classroom building. It’s where students learned how to fly and perfected assignments, where public relations and marketing materials were produced, where high school students were set on the path toward college, and where Shakespeare productions occurred. Those in attendance at the July 30 event to celebrate the building also learned that Thomas-Garrett was the birthplace of a superhero—Vector Man.

Computer science Professor Ran Libeskind-Hadas created Vector Man, Polynomial Woman and Function Dog during his first year teaching at HMC. He recounted the story of their creation and manifestation (he transformed into Vector Man on several occasions) and described his experience teaching in Thomas-Garrett classrooms.  “I learned the power of levity. My students helped me make the class more fun and friendly,” Libeskind-Hadas said. “Seeing Thomas-Garrett demolished is a bit sad for me. On the other hand, the new building will be spectacular and I hope new faculty members in the future will have their first memorable teaching experiences [there].”

Libeskind-Hadas was one of several speakers who commemorated the 50-year-old building, which is slated for demolition to make way for a new teaching and learning building. Faculty, staff and alumni recounted their Thomas-Garrett experiences—warts and all.

Jerry Van Hecke ’61, a member of the Founding Class and Donald A. Strauss Professor of Chemistry, recalled that the building, opened in Sept. 1961, was a gift of Leroy Allin Garrett and Marian Thomas Garrett in honor of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Thomas and Mr. and Mrs. Ray M. Garrett. While the building was completed after he graduated, Van Hecke, a faculty member for 41 years, taught many classes there.

Wendy Menifee-Libey, now director of learning programs, spent 11 years in the building as director of the Academic Excellence program and of the Writing Center, both places where students received peer support for assignments. “We’re looking forward with great anticipation to the new building with its purpose-built writing center and its modern classrooms with movable furniture and ample white board space, “ she said. “That generous, collaborative culture that thrived in Thomas-Garrett will be made that much easier to nurture and expand in the new building.”

Former thespians and alumni Glen Hastings ‘93 and John Lulejian ‘90 reminisced about their moments on the T-G courtyard stage as performers in Shakespeare plays directed by Jeff Groves, professor of literature. Lulejian, current president of the Alumni Association Board of Governors (AABoG), was a cast member in HMC’s first Shakespeare play. “I was very excited to see at Alumni Weekend this year that the plays we started so many years ago have gotten a little more technically savvy. The charm, the dedication, and the joy the students and audience get out of the plays is still there. We’re fortunate that Shakespeare in the courtyard will continue [in the new building].”

In addition to reminiscing, the event gave select participants an opportunity to remove a Thomas-Garrett wart—the square, protruding cement blocks that decorate most HMC building façades. Those who purchased a wart for $500 (young alumni) or $1,000 used a pneumatic drill to pry the symbolic blocks from courtyard pillars. Even Iris Critchell, instructor of aeronautics emerita, who directed the Bates Aeronautics Program from Thomas-Garrett from 1962 to 1990, cheerfully pried one from its perch.

After removing her Thomas-Garrett wart, alumna, AABoG member and former trustee Katy Wong ‘97 reminisced about some of the many classes she had attended in the building. “Part of me is sad to see it go,” she said. “But you can’t have the new without letting go of the old.”

Demolition of Thomas-Garrett will occur during the month of August as the site is prepared for a 70,000-square-foot academic building, which is scheduled to be completed by fall 2013.

More on the new teaching and learning building

Alumni Association Board of Governors	Computer science Professor Ran Libeskind-Hadas
David Gross '08 and Aurora Pribram-Jones '09	Iris Critchell removes a Thomas-Garrett wart.
Engineering Professor Liz Orwin '95 and Paul Orwin '95.	The children of alumni enjoy the piñata's bounty.