245 Lexington Avenue Building Dedicated as Stanton Hall
Estie Neff
Issue date: 12/21/09 Section: News
The building known as "245 Lex" on the Beren Campus will henceforth be called Stanton Hall, following the naming ceremony that took place Wednesday afternoon, December 16, in honor of Ronald P. Stanton, a generous donor and educational visionary for Yeshiva University (YU).
Stanton, founder of Transammonia Inc., gave $100 million to YU in September 2006, establishing the Ronald P. Stanton legacy. The money would be given in installments over the next 5 to 10 years, and would go toward improving the overall quality of student life on campus and in the classroom.
At the official naming ceremony, President Richard Joel said that Stanton had refused any offers to have buildings named after him at the time he gave the gift. Recently, however, Stanton agreed to be recognized so that he could provide a legacy for his children and grandchildren. "I feel that in this late stage of my life, in the declining years," said Stanton at the naming ceremony, "I can enjoy [these dedication of] names, which formerly I didn't do, but I'm doing it for the kids . . . who are the joy of my life."
Mr. Joel also noted how fitting it was to name the building at 245 Lexington Avenue after Stanton, as it houses the Hedi Steinberg Library -the library Stanton built in memory of his mother 34 years ago.
The dedication took place in the main lobby of the building, after Stanton and his children cut a large red ribbon emblazoned with "Ronald P. Stanton Hall" outside the front entrance.
Mr. Joel connected the Stanton Hall dedication to Chanukah, the holiday when the Jewish people rededicated the Beit Hamikdash (Temple). He quoted the Talmudic opinion of beis Hillel that we follow, which is to start from one candle on the first night and work our way up to light eight on the last, versus beis Shammai's opinion, which is to start from eight and go down to one. Mr. Joel used this halakhic distinction to highlight the Jewish emphasis on growth, symbolized in the Chanukah menorah, and in the philanthropic actions of Mr. Stanton.
Stanton, founder of Transammonia Inc., gave $100 million to YU in September 2006, establishing the Ronald P. Stanton legacy. The money would be given in installments over the next 5 to 10 years, and would go toward improving the overall quality of student life on campus and in the classroom.
At the official naming ceremony, President Richard Joel said that Stanton had refused any offers to have buildings named after him at the time he gave the gift. Recently, however, Stanton agreed to be recognized so that he could provide a legacy for his children and grandchildren. "I feel that in this late stage of my life, in the declining years," said Stanton at the naming ceremony, "I can enjoy [these dedication of] names, which formerly I didn't do, but I'm doing it for the kids . . . who are the joy of my life."
Mr. Joel also noted how fitting it was to name the building at 245 Lexington Avenue after Stanton, as it houses the Hedi Steinberg Library -the library Stanton built in memory of his mother 34 years ago.
The dedication took place in the main lobby of the building, after Stanton and his children cut a large red ribbon emblazoned with "Ronald P. Stanton Hall" outside the front entrance.
Mr. Joel connected the Stanton Hall dedication to Chanukah, the holiday when the Jewish people rededicated the Beit Hamikdash (Temple). He quoted the Talmudic opinion of beis Hillel that we follow, which is to start from one candle on the first night and work our way up to light eight on the last, versus beis Shammai's opinion, which is to start from eight and go down to one. Mr. Joel used this halakhic distinction to highlight the Jewish emphasis on growth, symbolized in the Chanukah menorah, and in the philanthropic actions of Mr. Stanton.
Be the first to comment on this story