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Parents Fund
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A
Message From The Parents Fund Chairs
Each year Clarkson parents like you generously support
the University through special annual projects that
improve the learning environment and campus life for
their own sons and daughters as well as future students.
These projects are chosen by Clarkson parents with
input from students.
This year The Parents Fund is launching
a two-year fundraising campaign for the renovation
and expansion of The Concrete Café, a popular
campus café conveniently
located in the Science Center building. It’s
a place where students go between classes. It’s
a place where socializing meets learning over textbooks
and lunch. It’s a place that will become even
more engaging with your help. Please join us in making
this a reality – with your gift to The Parents
Fund. —Jim ’76 and Ellen
Helmer (parents of Mark Helmer ’07)
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The Parents Fund plays an important role in
helping to ensure a quality experience for all Clarkson students.
Each year, parents of Clarkson students - and parents of
students who have graduated from Clarkson - support a project
that addresses an important need on campus. Previous Parents
Fund projects have included support for the Parents Association
Lounge in the Cheel Campus Center, the Deneka Family Fitness
Center, the Adirondack Lodge, and the community multimedia
center in Hamlin-Powers Residence Hall.
The Concrete Café Project
We
understand that education extends beyond classrooms and laboratories
and into residence halls, athletic fields, and dining areas.
In our close-knit community, living and learning are intertwined
and our campus reflects this. It’s why Clarkson has
been leading the trend in college dining to replace yesterday’s
oversized, institutional cafeterias with more intimate spaces
designed around a dining theme with ample room for friends
and books. We are also emphasizing what today’s busy
students need: choice, flexibility, quality, convenience
and prompt service.
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| As
of June 13, 2006, demolition was nearly complete in
preparation for the Concrete Cafe renovation. |
Over the last few years, the University has partnered with
Aramark Dining Services to redesign the campus’ main
dining areas, including the Main Street Café, Empire
Diner, Ross-Brooks Sports Motif, Bene Pizza, and Our Place,
to meet the needs of today’s on-the-go student community.
Dining Services has also pushed dining options out from these
main areas to satellite dining options in the Andrew S. Schuler
Educational Resources Center and the Cora and Bayard Clarkson
Science Center.
The Café
Conveniently located on the third floor of the Cora and Bayard
Clarkson Science Center, the Concrete Café began
operations in 1995. It received its playful name in a contest
for students sponsored by Dining Services that same year.
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| The
Concrete Cafe as it was during spring semester 2006. |
Ten years later it is a popular breakfast and lunchtime
spot for students, faculty and staff with more than 1,600
customers served each week. Although serving demand has increased,
space has not. The time has come to renovate and expand the
space to meet the needs of the Clarkson community.
The Plan
The renovation calls for the expansion of the café to
the southern edge of the building to take advantage of the
exposure and views of the Adirondack foothills to the south.
The additional space will accommodate more diners and upgrading
the service area will allow for speedier service, more food
options, and appropriate seating.
The Costs
Our Parents Fund goal of $120,000 will cover 80 percent of
the costs associated with the renovation and expansion.
The Timeframe
Initial work on the project is slated to be underway during
the summer of 2006 with a completion date by August 2007.
Since this is a two-year project we are asking parents
to make a pledge payable over two years with payments due
on June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2007. This will provide
the resources the University needs to complete the renovation
during the summers of 2006 and 2007. Or, if you prefer,
you can make a gift for this year only and be solicited
for your support again beginning in the fall of 2006 for
year two of the project.
Participating in The Parents
Fund
If you’re a Clarkson parent, or the parent of a Clarkson
graduate, we encourage you to join us by participating in
The Parents Fund this year. Please make your pledge payable
over two years using our
secure Web site or mail your check,
payable to Clarkson University, to:
The Parents Fund
Clarkson University
PO Box 5530
Potsdam, NY 13699-5530
Thank you for your consideration. Your gift to The Parents
Fund is an important investment and will help support the
Clarkson community and make a difference for many students.
For further information, contact The Parents Fund at 315-268-6582.
If you have any questions, e-mail Nichole Greene ,
Clarkson Fund associate director, for further information.
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