January 11, 2012 - Marymount College Officially Arrives in San Pedro’s Historic Downtown
Marymount College’s heart and soul ceremoniously merged with that of San Pedro with the grand opening of the Marymount College Waterfront Campus on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. In front of a crowd of nearly 300 people, the College’s first new campus in decades was formally opened and celebrated by national and local leaders, members of Marymount’s board of trustees, and a variety of key community supporters. Congresswoman Janice Hahn and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa each offered their congratulations along with the presentation of formal seals of recognition at the 222 W. Sixth Street location. Marymount’s president, Dr. Michael Brophy, thanked faculty, staff and students for their patience with this phase of expansion and singled out the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, the San Pedro Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District (PBID) and the San Pedro Arts & Academic Alliance for their key roles in developing the new downtown campus.
“The beginning of the Waterfront Campus is one of the most significant things to happen to San Pedro in a long time,” said Chuck Klaus, benefactor to the College. “To have Marymount College in downtown San Pedro is a win-win situation. The students get a diversity of experience here as well.” The Marylyn and Chuck Klaus Center for the Arts at 430 W. Sixth Street is scheduled to open in August 2012. With these two locations on Sixth Street, as well as the Arcade Gallery and partnerships with the Warner Grand Theatre and the Grand Annex, Marymount’s downtown campus will be the “anchor tenant” to San Pedro, said Stephen Robbins, executive director of the PBID.
Reverend Mark Villano, the chaplain of Marymount College, offered an eloquent blessing with Marymount students reciting biblical readings. The crowd reigned in its excitement for these moments of poignant reflection. Dr. Brophy reiterated the importance of continuing Marymount’s mission of service in tandem with the exciting turn of events, which began with its four-year accreditation in 2010. Mentioning Marymount’s service learning program and the 25,000 service hours students have dedicated over two years to organizations such as the San Pedro Boys & Girls Club, Brophy added that “students get to learn what it means to be human by serving others.”
While today was the formal dedication, since August the latest in classroom technology has been implemented by upper division classes at the Waterfront Campus. Administrative offices have also been buzzing with activity in what was formerly the Northrup Grumman building in the heart of the San Pedro’s Historic Waterfront District. “We have reached new heights in our mission,” said Brophy. “This last year has been the most exhilarating!”
“Opening Marymount’s Waterfront Campus has become a major benefit to Marymount, San Pedro and the greater Los Angeles area,” said Burt Arnold, president of the Marymount’s board of trustees. “We are proud to have Mayor Villaraigosa’s and Congresswoman Hahn’s support.”
July 11, 2011 - College Receives Donation for Downtown San Pedro Facility
Marymount College President Michael Brophy announced a significant financial contribution from local donors who directed their donation toward a new college facility located at 430 West Sixth Street in San Pedro.
The donors, Marylyn and Chuck Klaus, provided a gift for a building that will offer space for “the arts,” including student instruction, exhibition space, faculty offices and research. Curriculum from the Media Studies bachelor’s degree program will be taught in this location. The site will be named the Marylyn and Chuck Klaus Center for the Arts, in honor of the donors.
“This significant gift from the Klauses furthers the College’s desire to expand our arts programming in downtown San Pedro,” saidDr. Brophy. In speaking about her motivation todonate to the college Marylyn Klaus said “I have been a longtime champion of Marymount College and its involvement in San Pedro. Myhusband, Chuck and I are delighted by Marymount’s expanded presence in the San Pedro community. Putting Marymount College and San Pedro together is a win-win situation.”
Future Facilities Plan
For nearly 40 years, Marymount College has maintained a mutually beneficial relationship with the San Pedro community. This year the College plans to invest quite a bit more in this vibrant Los Angeles neighborhood. While the College’s main campus is in Rancho Palos Verdes, both student residential sites are located in San Pedro. In addition, many faculty and staff members of the College make their homes there.
“It is a natural fit for Marymount College to expand into the San Pedro community,” said Marymount College President Michael S. Brophy. “San Pedro offers our students an important ‘extended classroom,’ in which students are transformed through a combination of traditional academic learning and real-world experience. Working, volunteering and taking part in local activities helps students understand the world outside the classroom and create lives of leadership and service.”
Participation in San Pedro’s community and cultural events has created a buzz among students and members of the downtown community. From mentoring students at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Los Angeles Harbor to donating blood at Providence Little Company of Mary Hospital’s blood drives, and from preserving the native habitat at White Point to performing jazz at the Grand Annex, students and residents alike are realizing the benefits of this relationship.
“Marymount’s presence means so much for downtown San Pedro,” said Liz Schindler Johnson, president and executive director of the Grand Vision Foundation. “Downtown San Pedro has many of the elements of a college town. Students are just what our local business community needs to energize our quaint and historic town.”
“My students are so revved up about participating in downtown San Pedro’s First Thursdays,” said Marymount Fine Arts professor Paul Eastup. “They look forward to it every month.” First Thursday is a unique event , with free music, dancing, and performances on the street while many businesses, restaurants, and art galleries and studios stay open late.
This school year, Marymount College increased its presence in the downtown area to accommodate growth; serve upper-division undergraduates and develop graduate programs; and connect to local business, municipal, arts and not-for-profit groups. The Marymount College Waterfront Campus is a new administrative and academic center located at 222 West Sixth Street, and students will have the opportunity to exhibit their visual and multimedia art in rotating exhibitions at the Arcade Building. In addition, classes and performances will be offered at the Grand Annex and the Warner Grand Theatre this fall.
“Looking into our next academic year, we plan to hold more classes on Sixth Street, as well as offer film series, theatrical productions, guest lectures and gallery exhibitions,” said Dr. Brophy. “We will increase our participation in the First Thursday Art Walk and become more deeply involved in service and philanthropic projects in San Pedro.”
