[Friends of WRA Home Page ] [Letters Page] [ Site Map ]

February 10, 2000

To Those Who Care About Hudson:

It is and has been well known that, in 1841, Harvey Baldwin and Anner Hudson Baldwin gifted College Park so that the land would remain forever free of "any buildings of any description whatsoever."

For nearly 160 years students and faculty, and indeed also members of the larger community of Hudson, have enjoyed the open spaces, the vistas, and benefits of College Park. Through nearly 160 years of expansion and building nearby, first Western Reserve College and then Western Reserve Academy have honored that gift and have kept College Park largely as it appeared in 1841.

Until now.

Western Reserve Academy, for the purpose of qualifying for a conditional gift from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, now seems rather intent on placing The Burton D. Morgan Building squarely on College Park. Mr. Jeff Keener, an Academy Trustee, has been quoted in the media as believing that there is no restriction on placing the building there.

As an heir to the Baldwins who donated the land, I must say that litigation may yet be required to resolve this issue. I hope not, however. Litigation is expensive for all parties, and could require an extended period to reach finality. So today, rather than talk of legalisms, I care to talk about values.

A little over 30 years ago, my mother inherited the David Hudson house from her Aunt, Anna Lee, the last of five generations of Hudsons who lived there. However, the house was in need of significant repair and renovation; so, after much thought, my parents concluded the most appropriate course to follow was to sell the house to the Academy, which promptly undertook an extensive and successful renovation of it. The Academy's efforts honored the past and gave it and the larger community a wonderful treasure. That effort stands as an example of responsible corporate citizenship at its finest.

How that contrasts with the Academy's recent direction regarding College Park!

The Academy has recently been on a course that would turn its back on an earlier donor (the Baldwins) for the sake of complying with the wishes of a current would-be donor, The Morgan Foundation. I am, quite frankly, dismayed by the disregard of an historic gift for the purpose of chasing after a new one. How does any organization, especially one dedicated to teaching and the instilling of values in youth, square this conduct with their mission?

If leadership by example is the most effective teaching method, what is the Academy teaching its students by its conduct? That it is acceptable behavior to enjoy the fruits of a gift without honoring the donors' intent? That it is acceptable behavior to do that which is convenient at the moment?

What message is the Academy sending to its thousands of graduates who would otherwise think kindly of making gifts themselves? Can they feel assured that their gifts will be honored?

At the time of his death in 1880, Harvey Baldwin was recognized for his extraordinary service and generosity to the Hudson community, with College Park being just one facet of that. He and David Hudson's daughter deserve that their gift of College Park remain intact for future generations of both Academy students and Hudson residents.

With its announced intention of revisiting the site issue, the Academy has the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to College Park. By working with The Morgan Foundation to move the proposed building off College Park, the Academy can realize the new generous gift and honor the Baldwins' historic gift at the same time. Time-honored values will be respected, and the Academy will be applauded. The Foundation, likewise, will be viewed as one that is sensitive to the community rather than one that attempted to achieve its goal at the expense of another donor.

We await their decision. May it be an example of responsible corporate citizenship at its finest.

Sincerely,

William J. Hyde

[Friends of WRA Home Page ] [Letters Page] [ Site Map ]

This page was last built with Frontier on a Macintosh on Thu, Feb 10, 2000 at 1:58:00 PM.