Former Headmaster Krik Walker ’69, center, cuts the ribbon to officially open Walker Hall joined by, from left, Board Chairman Elliott Davenport, David Stonecipher ’59, Headmaster Lee Burns ’87 and Hal Daughdrill III ’73.
The student body gathered on the Spencer McCallie III Quadrangle to dedicate another space to another former McCallie headmaster.
Students, alumni, Trustees, faculty and friends of McCallie came together to officially dedicate Walker Hall, the school’s new science and technology center.
Walker Hall is named after former Headmaster Dr. R. Kirk Walker Jr. ’69, who led the school for 15 years from 1999-2014. Dr. Walker helped lead the team that raised the money for the new building, which features state-of-the-art science facilities as well as new spaces for interactive learning such as the Lebovitz Innovation Lab, the Turner Global Conferencing Center, and the Engineering Lab.
Outgoing Board Chairman Elliott Davenport ’78 told of how Dr. Walker was mislead about the about the naming of the new building even as he helped with the fundraising for the project. As Dr. Walker was leading the team raising the more than $14 million to build Walker Hall, the Board of Trustees met without his knowledge to propose and approve naming the building in his honor. Knowing of Dr. Walker’s humility, he was not offered the opportunity to contest the decision.
“This new building represents McCallie’s commitment to the students by giving them the opportunity to learn by doing,” Headmaster Lee Burns ’87 said. “It represents a new day for the school and is an extension of the leadership and hard work of Dr. Walker and everyone involved in making this day a reality.”
Senior day student Ace Damodaran spoke for the student body in thanking the alumni and others for making Walker Hall a reality.
“When I first came to the Upper School, the Robotics Club met in old Alumni Hall, the former dining hall, and we had to keep our equipment in boxes stacked in a closet,” Ace said. “I wish the upperclassmen from those days could see the facilities we have now to work on projects and develop solutions to problems in the real world.”
Classes began in Walker Hall in February, and faculty and students have already begun taking advantage of this new space. With the beginning of the 2016-17 school year this fall, the opportunities for even more new learning opportunities are just around the corner.
Students, alumni and faculty gathered on the Spencer J. McCallie III Quadrangle for the dedication of Walker Hall.