OUR NUMBERS Tell OUR Story
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our numbers HUDSON, OHIO FOUNDED \\ 1826 tell our story 1 INTRODUCTION up to Fo ur years to experience wra’s values. a lifetime to apply those values to make the world a better place. western reserve academy The numbers you read throughout these pages speak to the authenticity of our school, the is unique —Our Numbers transformational education students receive here and the inviting community that students Tell Our Story. and their families eagerly join. Our numbers are about a campus you will call home, friends and faculty you will think of as family and a world-class institution that will change you for life. his story. his numbers. his commitment to wra. The year Pierce House 1855 was built. A GATHERING PLACE foR MORE THAN 150 YEARS. A SYMboL of FAMILY AND SECURITY FAR INTO THE FUTURE. Pierce House, the home of Head of School HEAD of schooL Christopher Burner and his family, Christopher D. Burner ’80 has been an icon for generations at WRA— truly representing the close-knit, family-like atmosphere that permeates through WRA and The year Christopher D. Burner became the 31st head of 2008 school. Mr. Burner is the first alumnus to hold this position. its community of learners. For decades, Pierce House has been a popular location on Mr. Burner has been a loyal supporter of Western campus for student gatherings, faculty retreats Reserve Academy for more than 30 years. As a and special community events. graduate, he believes WRA shaped his character and The History of Pierce House: developed his self-confidence. Mr. Burner embodies the school’s mission of excellence, integrity and It was built by the president of Western compassion. Reserve College, George Edmond Pierce. Earning a bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall Pierce and his family occupied the home after Pierce’s retirement, following 21 years College and master’s degrees from Dartmouth of service. and Harvard, Mr. Burner has devoted his entire professional life to independent boarding schools. The lumber for the house was milled at a small He has passionately taught Latin for the past 20 farm deeded to President Pierce as a partial years, and he has also taught economics and history. payment of debts owed to him by the College. Previous administrative positions held include dean of The house was purchased by WRA in 1931 admission and financial aid and dean of the faculty and and has served as the head of school’s administration. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Burner residence ever since. has influenced many students while coaching football, wrestling and lacrosse. It has undergone major exterior and interior changes since it was built. Mr. Burner embraces the family atmosphere at Western In 1977, Pierce House was the location for the Reserve Academy, which is evident when you walk film, The Gathering, starring Ed Asner and around campus. You will frequently see Mr. Burner Maureen Stapleton. eating dinner in the dining hall with his family, stopping by the dorms to chat with students or cheering on our athletic teams. Mr. and Mrs. Burner open their house to students on a regular basis, and they take on the role of host family to a WRA international student. 130 In addition, the Burners serve as advisors for WRA’s current students have relatives who also Business Club, which meets at Pierce House.. went to WRA—each is a legacy and proof of the strong bonds that develop at WRA. 3 hisTORY & MissioN One man. countless opportunities. The year the David The winning score of WRA’s first 1806 Hudson House was built. 10-8 baseball game in 1891. “Athletics for All” rang true even then. In 1787, David Hudson took a risk. The legacy of its founder lives on at WRA. MissioN STATEMENT Young adults are encouraged to dream He left his home in New England to and take risks to realize those dreams. A Western Reserve Academy explore federally expanded territory—the The captivating campus respectfully education offers a transformational Western Reserve of Connecticut. It took mirrors the past but it also provides experience where students strive for independence, character, trust in others, students with all the modern conveniences excellence, live with integrity and act integrity and hard work to turn wilderness and securities needed to feel protected, with compassion. into a town and then provide that town comfortable and at home. Western with an educational center. Today, David Reserve Academy embraces its rich past, Hudson’s innovation, values and utter and by doing so, provides students with respect for knowledge and enlightenment a breathtaking location to live and learn connect and sustain every aspect of life and a place where they know they matter. in Hudson, Ohio, and Western Reserve Academy. The year Seymour Hall 1914 opened. Today, students find support and collaboration in each of its classrooms. st seal of Western 1 Reserve Academy. Lux et Veritas is Latin for light and truth. The Chapel was completed in Enlightenment and 10 1836, 10 years after WRA was honesty are two core years after it was built in 1838, founded. The Chapel is a symbol values at WRA. 100 Loomis Observatory became the of perseverance and determination location for a scientific conference. at WRA. This is one of two observatories currently on campus and it is the second oldest standing observatory in the United States. Lincoln Ellsworth, son of school TWO benefactor, James W. Ellsworth, attended WRA for two years, from 1893 – 95. Lincoln went on state-of-the-art science labs occupy Wilson Hall, to have a remarkable career as 11 which was dedicated in 1963 and fully renovated in an Arctic explorer. He also was a two-time winner of a Congressional 2001. This space for physics, biology and chemistry Medal of Honor. WRA’s dining hall offers our students premier science facilities. is named after the Ellsworth family. women were admitted to WRA SIX when it became coeducational in 1973. Diversity has always been a key factor in WRA’s success. A $5.3 million facility, the John D. Ong Library $5.3 speaks volumes about our academic priorities. The 21,000-square-foot building, with a capacity for 45,000 volumes, also houses a computer lab, group study rooms and the school’s archives. dormitories are filled with NINE academic debate, laughter and sleeping students. The Wood House dormitory was dedicated in 1953. 5 wra camPUS & HUDSON, OHIO stUDENT & facULTY ADVisOR PROfiLE Michael & Mr. Ong “Mr. Ong takes the time radio station, acts as housemaster at Bicknell dormitory and is a to really get to know his proud WRA graduate. His most advisees. That personal important role, however, is being attention makes you feel a faculty advisor. Michael chose Mr. Ong based on advice from right at home and gives his family—his mother, uncle, you extra confidence to sister and brother all went to try new things.” WRA. Now, Michael admires and respects his advisor for his own -Michael, WRA Student reasons. Mr. Ong is Michael’s Four hundred students at WRA teacher, coach, confidant and trust in 70 faculty members to friend. lead them in the right direction, Mr. Ong also teaches AP encourage them to take risks Economics at WRA and holds and be there for them when the John W. Hallowell Chair in their parents can’t. Diccon Ong Philosophy and Ethics. provides that support for Michael and many students at Western Michael is part of the Business Reserve Academy. Club and also plays basketball and tennis. He earned the silver medal Mr. Ong is a history teacher. He honor for the National French also coaches soccer, runs the Exam. 190 acres to call home The campus at Western Reserve Academy a truly special place. Supported by this “When Michael started at is expansive and spectacular. WRA’s unique and compassionate group of people, WRA, I felt we were likely Brick Row is one of the most historic and WRA creates an even playing field for to have a special connection. well preserved brick rows in the nation. learning and exciting opportunities for Beyond our common love From the central quad and sculptured leadership. Among diverse individuals for the game of soccer, I landscaping, to the unique architecture who often learn from each other and with graduated from WRA in of our cornerstone Chapel, the welcoming ample access to experienced faculty, WRA the same year as Michael’s surroundings exceed expectations of a students move quickly beyond stereotypes mother, Tracy, and served classic academic environment. Traditions, to step out of their comfort zones with as his brother Tim’s (‘09) such as a dress code, Saturday classes and confidence. advisor for four years. I’m regular sit-down meals, are respected and hoping Michael can benefit appreciated. Whether in the classroom, on the from my advising during his basketball court, in the dining room, on remaining time at WRA and Yet, WRA is so much more. the stage or in the dormitory, Western I am sure that I have much Reserve Academy’s community fosters It is our intimate community of to learn from him.” success, embraces independence and independent thinkers, passionate learners, encourages individual differences. -Mr. Ong, History Teacher at WRA athletes, risk-takers, caring parents, innovative teachers and philanthropists who make Western Reserve Academy 7, 3 55 24-7 students, faculty and alumni form an Students have access to a amazing academic community. caring adult 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 308 steps to downtown hudson. WRA’s close proximity to the charming, conveniences. Modeled after a traditional downtown First & Main shopping district town square, Hudson’s First & Main area in Hudson, Ohio, offers students access to blends the charisma of specialty shops another exceptional community.