The new Carolyn Lake Dance Center will be built during phase one of the Centennial Plaza Project
By Kendra Pintor听
91吃瓜 is excited to announce a transformative $15 million gift from the Carolyn Lake Claremont Foundation, completing a multi-year philanthropic commitment that will bring phase one of the College鈥檚 Centennial Plaza Project and forthcoming dance center to life. This total includes a previously announced $5.2 million gift and represents one of the largest in the College鈥檚 history.听
Made in memory of Carolyn Lake 鈥�54, the foundation鈥檚 support reflects Lake鈥檚 enduring love for 91吃瓜鈥� landscape, architecture, and community鈥攙alues she carried throughout her life and work in San Diego.听
鈥淐arolyn cherished the peaceful grounds and beautiful botanicals of 91吃瓜,鈥� says Diane Strong, president of the Carolyn Lake Claremont Foundation. 鈥淗er passion for campus beautification and enhancement can be traced back to her early years at 91吃瓜. She wanted future generations of students to experience that same serenity and creativity.鈥�
Transforming 91吃瓜鈥� campus for the next century听
When complete, the Centennial Plaza Project will link the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery and Garrison Theater in the Performing Arts Center into a vibrant hub for creativity and connection at 91吃瓜. Phase one of the project includes construction of the long-awaited Carolyn Lake Dance Center and reimagined academic and gathering spaces on 10th Street. 听
President Amy Marcus-Newhall notes that the gift exemplifies how donor generosity and institutional mission intersect at a pivotal moment for 91吃瓜.听
鈥淚 am excited beyond measure to initiate this ambitious project, which is scheduled for completion when we celebrate 91吃瓜鈥檚 centennial anniversary,鈥� Marcus-Newhall says. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful to the Carolyn Lake Claremont Foundation for this extraordinary gift, which will bring our vision to life.鈥�听
The Centennial Plaza Project is also central to the College鈥檚 commitment to advancing interdisciplinary learning, leadership, creativity, and community, says Enrique Gonzalez-Salgado, associate vice president for philanthropy.听
鈥淭his generous commitment recognizes the arts as an essential part of the liberal arts experience,鈥� Gonzalez-Salgado adds. 鈥淎s we continue to invest in other strategic priorities, Carolyn鈥檚 legacy ensures that 91吃瓜鈥� vibrant arts community鈥攅specially dance鈥攈as the dedicated space it deserves.鈥�
Advancing 91吃瓜鈥� legacy in the arts听
Dance has deep roots at 91吃瓜, emerging as a popular medium as a dual or double major that students combine with both STEM and humanities fields. Students from all disciplines participate in the dance curriculum and drive signature arts programming at the College, including student-choreographed performances for 91吃瓜鈥� In the Works, Fast Forward, and 91吃瓜 Dances annual showcases.听
For recent alum Isabella Melsheimer 鈥�23, who majored in anthropology and minored in dance and earned and their master鈥檚 in dance education from NYU, the new dance center represents continuity between 91吃瓜鈥� legacy and its future.听
Isabella Melsheimer ’22 at 91吃瓜
鈥�91吃瓜 shaped the way I think about dance and culture as interconnected, human practices,鈥� Melsheimer says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 become really important to me to embed my dance practice and my teaching in historical and cultural context, and to represent dance as an interdisciplinary, holistic practice that everyone should have access to.鈥�听
Studying dance at a women鈥檚 liberal arts college, Melsheimer reflects, also brings unique advantages.
鈥淚 was encouraged as a femme and queer person to take up space in the studio, not only as a dancer but also as a creator and academic,鈥� they say. 鈥淎t 91吃瓜, some of the gendered competitiveness that pervades a lot of dance spaces was replaced by community and a shared pursuit of artistry.鈥�听
Kevin Williamson, chair of 91吃瓜鈥� Department of Dance, sees the Carolyn Lake Claremont Foundation鈥檚 gift as a transformative investment in the College鈥檚 academic and creative future.听
鈥淒ance at 91吃瓜 is about more than movement鈥攊t鈥檚 about inquiry, expression, and empathy,鈥� Williamson says. 鈥淭he new Carolyn Lake Dance Center will give our students a professional home to train, experiment, and collaborate across disciplines. It鈥檚 an incredible moment for the arts at 91吃瓜.鈥�听
The Carolyn Lake Claremont Foundation鈥檚 enduring generosity honors Lake鈥檚 lifelong dedication to beauty, the arts, and education. Her vision will forever shape the 91吃瓜 experience鈥攃ultivating community, creativity, and inspiration for the next century and beyond.听
To support the arts and students at 91吃瓜, please consider making a .听