(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)May 17, 1999

(Mahwah) — Beginning with a dedication and ribbon-cutting and culminating with dancing to the rhythms of jazz musician Bobby Watson and the High Court of Swing, Ramapo College officially opened the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts Saturday, May 15. Amid dignitaries in black-tie and gowns, students decked out in Berrie Center logo T-shirts demonstrated the cutting-edge features of the new facility with dance and drama, computer imaging, music, photography, and fine arts presentations.

“The Berrie Center is a symbol of friendship and support, the fulfillment of a dream, and a major step in achieving even grander goals,” says Dr. Robert A. Scott, president of Ramapo College. Designed by architects Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates (HHPA), a firm known for memorable spaces, unique shapes and unusual materials, the new facility has a dual purpose: to serve students as a cutting edge learning facility and the community as a performance and exhibit space. “With this building, the College, backed by the state of New Jersey, has said that art is important. This is the manifestation of a commitment to the arts,” states Steven Perry, dean of the School of Contemporary Arts, which will occupy the Berrie Center.

The site of the Berrie Center bespeaks its dual purpose as both learning facility and Ramapo’s most public building. Located at the base of a hill with its upper level opening onto the newly formed campus quad and its lower level entrance facing the parking areas, the building is a bridge between the exterior world and the College. The Berrie Center is further situated to take advantage of the natural beauty of the surrounding area. From the second floor atrium walkway, which stretches across the three-story glass wall before leading into the balcony of the main theater, you look outward to the Ramapo Mountains east and north of the campus, taking in what has become known on campus as the “million-dollar view.” Similar views are available from classrooms, offices and studios.

“Spaces for the arts — theaters, galleries and studios — should not be neutral spaces. They need to support and nurture the activities they enclose,” says Malcolm Holzman, FAIA, who was partner-in-charge on the Berrie Center project. The new facility consists of four distinct elements, each with a unique identity marked by its own geometric form, roofline and materials. Colorful interiors in shades of purple and green complement stone and steel, and highlight irregularly shaped hallways, classrooms and studios. Playful angles create unusual spaces, literally encouraging students to think outside the box. By its very design the building is a reminder that this is a place where art is made. “What the architects have given us is a building that is inherently lively,” says Perry.

Housed inside are the Sharp© Theater, a 350-seat proscenium theater with a generously sized stage and a backstage fly system; the Adler Theater, a round experimental theater with an overhead catwalk system; a rehearsal hall; the Kresge Foundation and Pasqual galleries; costume shop; scenery shop; photo shooting studio; darkrooms; drawing and painting studios; electronic music composition room; classrooms; rehearsal rooms; dressing room with adjacent green room; and computer art room.

The building is named after Angelica and Russ Berrie, whose Oakland-based company is the international toy and gift giant Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. The Berries provided the lead gift in a campaign that raised funds from corporations and individuals, College employees and alumni, state and federal government, and private foundations. Toward the end of the campaign a challenge grant of $475,000 from the Kresge Foundation assisted the College in raising the balance required to complete the project. Cathy Davey, vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the Ramapo College Foundation, oversaw the effort to raise the nearly $1.5 million required to meet the challenge. She explains, “Much of our success can be attributed to the increased use of our loyal and generous volunteer board members. Their sense that this institution is ‘on the rise’ became infectious and inspirational to the staff, donors and community.” She continues, “Two other key factors in meeting this challenge were consistent, strong leadership from President Scott and his ability to enthusiastically articulate Ramapo’s needs; and a definite recognition among past and potential donors that gifts to the College have been used effectively and managed well.”

Major corporate benefactors include Sharp Electronics, Becton Dickinson and Co., American Home Products Corporation, Butler International, Footstar/Meldisco, Sony Electronics, Ingersoll-Rand, Hubco, Sanyo Semiconductor, Macromedia/The Bergen Record, Fleet Bank, The CIT Group, Jaguar Cars, and United Parcel Service. In addition to the Berries, major individual donors include Mr. and Mrs. Myron Adler, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Anisfield, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Mann, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kraus, and Mr. and Mrs. W. Peter McBride. A bond issue approved by the New Jersey electorate provided $6 million contingent on the College’s raising $3 million in matching funds, a condition which has been met. In addition, Congresswoman Marge Roukema was instrumental in securing for the College an economic development grant of $500,000.

Established in 1967 by Hugh Hardy, Malcolm Holzman, and Norman Pfeiffer, HHPA has designed and built more that 300 major buildings and won more than 100 awards for distinguished architecture, planning and interior design. The multidisciplinary architectural practice consistently has been cited by civic officials, critics, clients, the media, the public and fellow professionals as a progressive firm that creates some of the nation’s most innovative buildings. The firm has offices in New York and Los Angeles.

###

About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Press Release Archives

| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |