Hafter Student Community Center
In the first major expansion since the move to Elkins Park, PCO on October 16, 2006 marked the official opening of the new Hafter Student Community Center, named in honor of Florence and Martin Hafter, O.D.’49.
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Julie Marquart © www.marquartphotography.com |
As President Lewis welcomed the Hafter family, invited guests, local and state dignitaries and PCO faculty, staff and students in the Center’s gymnasium, he spoke of the long journey from concept to reality for the Center. His words were echoed by Board Chairman Carl Polsky, who told of the Board’s determination to replace the student gathering spot lost in the move to the Elkins Park campus eight years before.
Dr. Hafter spoke briefly, noting that the Center is really for the future generations of students who will use it, and he encouraged his fellow and future alumni to continue working for PCO. Perhaps the core belief of Dr. and Mrs. Hafter’s philanthropy can be found in Dr. Hafter’s closing remarks: “It’s simple really, those who can need to give, build and do.”
Congratulatory remarks were offered by Cheltenham Township Commissioner
Harvey Portner; PA State Senator LeAnna M. Washington; Janice Mignogna, APS president and director of the Bennett Center; Karen Wrigley, O.D. ’82, president of the Alumni Association, and
students Eris Prifti, and Steven Shaw, former and current
Student Council presidents.
With assistance from Dr. Lewis, Chairman Polsky and Senator Washington, Dr. and Mrs. Hafter used ceremonial scissors to cut the ribbon, amid much laughter and applause.
After the dedication ceremony, the honorees, their invited guests, PCO faculty and staff members attended a small reception, followed by a private luncheon in the College cafeteria.
The Hafter Student Community Center will help with:- Student Life & Student Recruitment - There is a need for a central place where students can gather socially for recreation and to study. PCO no longer has student apartments on campus.
- Enhanced Educational Resources - Continuing education courses offered by PCO often sell out resulting in our turning away alumni and other optometrists. The new facility will significantly increase our seating capacity for these programs. These new educational resources will also benefit current students. We plan to hold orientation, convocation, symposia for multiple classes and exams in the new conference center.
- Social Events - Large social events such as the alumni reunion dinner dance and the commencement awards ceremony are currently held in hotels or banquet facilities. The Student Community Center could host these events more conveniently and economically.
- Partnership with the Community - The residents of the adjacent condominiums and town-houses will be offered access to the Center during off-peak hours