Last Friday, trustees, alumni and students gathered to dedicate the Ralph S. O'Connor Recreation Center in a ceremony honoring the man for which it was named.
O'Connor, member of the Class of 1951 and University trustee emeritus, achieved his wealth in oil and gas production. He has since become a well-recognized philanthropist and civic leader and is a recipient of the University President's Medal for exemplary service. O'Connor's bequest helped make possible the establishment of the 63,000-sq.ft. facility.
Raymond "Chip" Mason, Chairman-Elect of the Johns Hopkins University Board of Trustees, began the ceremony by thanking the many donors that have contributed to the project. Among those recognized were Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, of the class of 1964, and Lawrence R. Goldfarb, whose bequest made possible the gymnasium that bears the name of close friend Robert H. Scott. Also acknowledged were the PepsiCo Foundation, which funded the center's fitness facility; Robert and Ann Evans, 1954, in whose honor the multipurpose room is named; Thomas W. Davis, 1975, for whom the racquetball/squash court is named; and Elaine and Wayne Schelle, 1959.
The ceremony was held in the Robert H. Scott Gymnasium, which was packed to capacity with students watching from the overhanging track. Scott himself was in attendance, along with other members of the Class of 1952, who celebrated their 50th reunion. Mason gave a glowing account of Scott's accomplishments, recalling his service as team captain for the Blue Jay's football and lacrosse teams and his success as lacrosse coach. Scott led the Blue Jays to seven National Championships between 1955 and 1974 and later served as Athletic Director until 1995.
"[Scott] is the embodiment of sportsmanship and the kind of character that honest competition breeds," said Mason.
Mason also expressed gratitude for the "generous bequest" that was left by Goldfarb, who has funded Hopkins athletics for 30 years and passed away in 2001.
After the initial acknowledgments, University President William R. Brody took the stage and spoke of O'Connor's personality and dedication to Johns Hopkins.
"[O'Connor] loves sports, has a great sense of humor and is always willing to lend a helping hand to a Hopkins alumnus," said Brody.
A video followed, which gave a short biography of O'Connor, complete with anecdotes and college photographs. O'Connor was described as a hard-working student and devoted athlete, who had the "ability to recognize opportunity" in a career based on speculation and instinct. The short history was followed by an overview of the new facility, which was termed "a new social center" for students and faculty alike. Also displayed were shots of students using the weight room, exercise equipment and courts. Throughout the still-photo video, anonymous students voiced praise and gratitude for the many resources offered by the center.
According to Brody, these resources have added immensely to the quality of student life at Hopkins, and will benefit the community for years to come.
"The Recreation Center will provide a wonderful focus for students firstly for physical exercise and development, but equally importantly, as a place to get together and socialize either exercising, climbing walls (literally), playing basketball, volleyball, etc.," said Brody. "I think it should be a great plus in recruiting future students to Johns Hopkins."
After being presented with a framed picture of the recreation center, O'Connor finally addressed the audience, thanking the trustees, who he said "did it all," and expressing gratitude for what he termed "a great honor."
"Hopkins does so many things so well," said O'Connor. "I'm just happy to be able to give something back to the students."
O'Connor also expressed confidence that the addition of the new center will draw "a lot of good students" to the school.
The dividers separating the three-court gymnasium were then raised, revealing students engaged in volleyball, table tennis and racquetball. Short speeches by Mary Berk, chair of the Graduate Representative Organization, and Anuj Mittal, president of the Student Council, restated the appreciation of the students, who "have been flocking to the center since January," according to Mittal. Berk said, "There is something for everyone" at the center, which is open to athletes of all different levels.
To formally "christen" the center, O'Connor and the speakers blew whistles as the scoreboards lit up and hoards of balloons and foam sports balls rained down on the assemblage. The JHU Big Band played as alumni explored the facility, watching students on the climbing wall and viewing the fitness center and weight room.
"The ceremony was great," said Mittal. "It was beautifully done. O'Connor and Mason were very enthusiastic about the response we've already gotten and about the potential for the future. A lot of people came and saw the benefit of a place for students outside of academics."
Brody echoed this sentiment, expressing appreciation for the opportunities afforded by the center.
"I am delighted with the O'Connor Center and deeply appreciate all the alumni and friends who contributed to making it a reality," said Brody.
During the ceremony, members of the Student Labor Action Committee (SLAC) congregated outside the entrance to the new Recreation Center, distributing fliers to alumni and students who attended the ceremony. SLAC member Maha Jafri, who used a megaphone to address passers-by, stated that Hopkins "still doesn't pay a living wage and won't commit to an indexed living wage."
"I think that alumni should know that they can tell the University that they don't support policies that produce poverty by withholding donations until the University commits to an indexed living wage, by marking their donations specifically for a living wage fund or by writing to President Brody," said Jafri after the event.
Brody declined to comment on the issue.
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