UH Mānoa leaders dedicated the newly built Frear Hall yesterday, with administrators calling the ceremony a centennial event and "a Mānoa moment."
"This impressive new residence hall will mean so much for students today and in the decades to come," said UH Mānoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw.
With a blessing from Kamehameha School's Kahu Cordell Kekoa, the event was also attended by elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi.
"It's more than just untying maile - it's about people who really care and what they can do," said Chair of the Frear Distribution Committee Sharon McPhee, referring to the work of Mary Frear, the building's namesake. The 810-bed facility will help ease the housing waiting list.
In an address at the ceremony, UH President David McClain noted the work of emeritus regents, who sought to adhere to the policy which requires that housing be available to 25 percent of students.
In 2006, administrators, along with members of the Associated Students of University of Hawai‘i, worked to demolish the original Frear Hall, which was built in 1952 but closed due to elecricity and plumbing problems.
Construction for the new hall began in 2007. One of the biggest accomplishments stressed at the ceremony was that the hall was completed "on time and on budget," said Allan Landon, chair of the Board of Regents.
"This building is very much about the future," said Hinshaw about UH's work to get LEED approved.
LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a rating system for "green buildings." UH is hoping that Frear will receive LEED's silver certification based on the work done to make the new hall energy efficient.
Hinshaw wants to make sure UHM is known as a model, not only for research and student diversity but also sustainability.
"Campus renewal is underway," she said.
"Frear Hall is a renewal of our commitment to provide students with a comfortable setting for reflection and concentration," said Francisco Hernandez, Vice Chancellor for Students.
"Yes, students will do many things in this building, much of which we do not want to know about," said Hernandez, "but they will also have a place for learning."
Mary Dillingham Frear
Mary Dillingham Frear, the namesake of UHM's newest residential building, became a regent in 1920, serving on the board for 23 years. Married to Walter Frear, the third territorial governor of Hawai‘i, Mary had her own accomplishments, writing poetry and participating in the YWCA.
According to Sharon McPhee, the chair of the Frear Distribution Committee, the couple met after Walter tutored Mary, who later attended Wellesley College. Walter himself attended O'ahu College, which is now Punahou, and went on to Yale.
"They looked at education from the beginning," McPhee said.
Among her works as a philanthropist, she and her husband established the Frear Trust, which terminated this year. As part of the trust, which generated its money from investments, the Frear Distribution Committee recently sent a $750,000 check for UH to create a scholarship for Hawai‘i residents attending any UH campus.
Be the first to comment on this article! Log in to Comment
You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now