Every November in New York, the Academy embarks on a week-long sequence of meetings and events that brings together Trustees, Fellows, Trustees Emeriti, and longtime friends of the Academy. During this time three major events take place: the Trustees annual meetings, Trustees Emeriti Luncheon and the Patricia H. Labalme Friends of the Library Lecture.
The Trustees Emeriti Luncheon is a highly anticipated annual event hosted by Trustee Emerita Millicent Mercer Johnsen. On the designated day this year, November 14th, Mrs. Johnsen’s presence was strongly felt both in NYC and in Rome, where the Millicent Mercer Johnsen Post-Doctoral Rome Prize Fellow Jennifer Davis was giving her shop talk on Charlemagne and Italy. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Millicent Mercer Johnsen gathering, and included a special presentation to Elizabeth Gray Kogen, the Academy’s Vice-President for Development 1997-2011.
Ms. Kogen was presented with the Centennial medal, a rare honor, bestowed upon her by president Adele Chatfield-Taylor, FAAR’84 and Chairman of the Board of Trustees William B. Hart on behalf of the Academy. Both Mr. Hart and Ms. Chatfield-Taylor celebrated Liz’s talents and accomplishments, reminding those present of her many contributions during her 14-year tenure. Over the years, Liz played a pivotal role in the Academy’s fundraising efforts, masterfully handling constant challenges and adeptly working with Trustees and staff to reach all goals.
Mr. Hart saluted Liz, “for the promotion of understanding between New York and Rome, anticipating the needs of trustees, fellows, and staff at all times, including early in the morning and late at night, in both time zones. In short, for going above and beyond the call of duty at every moment of every day.” Ms. Chatfield-Taylor thanked Liz for her dedication throughout the years as well as for the role she played in the fundraising history of our beloved institution—one that culminated with this year’s Centenary Campaign, which raised over its goal of $70 million to help secure the Academy’s future. A brilliant strategist and expert writer, Liz’s approach to the Academy inspired all who came in contact with her to work towards a creative future and years of successful initiatives.
The event, which took place at the Colony Club, gathered a record attendance of about 50 guests. Because of the anniversary, current Trustees were invited to join in with four past Academy Directors: Sophie Chandler Consagra, Henry A. Millon, FAAR'60, RAAR'66, Joseph Connors, RAAR’87, Carmela Vircillo Franklin, FAAR'85, RAAR'02, and current director Christopher S. Celenza, FAAR’94. Other special guests were returning Fellows Seth Bernard, FAAR’11, Thomas Campanella, FAAR’11, Heather McGowan, FAAR’11, and Michael Waters, FAAR’11. Guests were asked to share any account they wished of an unexpected friendship that developed while they were at the Academy, a theme chosen by Mrs. Johnsen. One by one guests offered recollections, often mentioning those whose influence had left a lasting impression on work or worldview.
On November 17 the Patricia H. Labalme Friends of the Library Lecture “From Rome to Robert Moses” by Thomas J. Campanella, FAAR’11, took place at the Metropolitan Club. President Chatfield-Taylor welcomed guests and thanked the Friends of the Library group for their support of the Academy’s Arthur & Janet C. Ross Library. FOL Chairman and Life Trustee Michael C. J. Putnam, FAAR’64, RAAR’70, introduced Prof. Campanella.
His lecture, “From Rome to Robert Moses” surveyed the oft-forgotten legacy of Gilmore D. Clarke and Michael Rapuano, FAAR'30 and demonstrated how Rapuano’s studies at the American Academy in Rome in the late 1920s enabled him to develop a lean and economical “public-works Baroque” spatial aesthetic that complemented the Anglo-Romantic heritage of the Olmsted era and became a signature of both the Moses era and the city itself. Campanella discussed the pivotal roles these landscape architects played in shaping the landscape of the United States as a whole in the twentieth century.
Ninety Academy alumni, FOL members and friends packed the Academy conference room for the reception following the lecture. It was a triumphant end to the week-long meetings of the Academy’s Board of Trustees.