Baker Science Center Welcomes New Resident: The Icthyosaur
Over the years, Wayne Holman ‘53 has donated a vast and impressive collection of artifacts and collectibles to Episcopal.
Included among the many gifts are works of art by Piranesi, Durer, Picasso, and others; a rare books collection the size and value of which surpasses that of many college collections; and several dozen fossils that have become permanent residents in Baker Science Center.
Holman’s latest gift joins the impressive ranks of that last category, and it was an almost 200 million year-old contribution worthy of a celebration and blessing.
Students, faculty and staff gathered in the lobby of Baker in late October to take in the Ichthyosaur, spanning almost six feet in width and revealed at a special blessing ceremony led by Rev. Betsy Gonzalez.
“What Episcopal did for me I can never repay,” Holman said at the ceremony.
When asked why he felt compelled to add this particular fossil to the School’s collection, he said, “The ichthyosaur is a jurassic fish 170 million years old, and it’s adorable! I saw the fossil first in London and decided that it could make the ideal mascot for EHS, and I imagined hearing the kids yelling, 'Go Ichthysaurs!' at football games."
Below is the blessing offered by Chaplain Betsy Gonzalez at the service.
Gracious and Holy God, we offer you thanks
for the life of this animal,
that in its death and preservation,
we are inspired to seek greater knowledge of the past
and are offered a glimpse into your creative majesty.
May its life echo through time to us and all those
who come after us, sparking curiosity, eliciting wonder,
and imparting scholarship.
We also offer great thanks for the generosity
and thoughtfulness of Wayne Holman,
and for his commitment to educating students
at this great school. May his efforts also continue
to reverberate through generations in the halls
and in the minds of our students.
All of this we ask in your Holy Name.
Amen.
Back
Holman’s latest gift joins the impressive ranks of that last category, and it was an almost 200 million year-old contribution worthy of a celebration and blessing.
Students, faculty and staff gathered in the lobby of Baker in late October to take in the Ichthyosaur, spanning almost six feet in width and revealed at a special blessing ceremony led by Rev. Betsy Gonzalez.
“What Episcopal did for me I can never repay,” Holman said at the ceremony.
When asked why he felt compelled to add this particular fossil to the School’s collection, he said, “The ichthyosaur is a jurassic fish 170 million years old, and it’s adorable! I saw the fossil first in London and decided that it could make the ideal mascot for EHS, and I imagined hearing the kids yelling, 'Go Ichthysaurs!' at football games."
Below is the blessing offered by Chaplain Betsy Gonzalez at the service.
Gracious and Holy God, we offer you thanks
for the life of this animal,
that in its death and preservation,
we are inspired to seek greater knowledge of the past
and are offered a glimpse into your creative majesty.
May its life echo through time to us and all those
who come after us, sparking curiosity, eliciting wonder,
and imparting scholarship.
We also offer great thanks for the generosity
and thoughtfulness of Wayne Holman,
and for his commitment to educating students
at this great school. May his efforts also continue
to reverberate through generations in the halls
and in the minds of our students.
All of this we ask in your Holy Name.
Amen.
Other Recent News
List of 4 news stories.
-
Celebrating Our Winter Athletes
Read More -
Maddie Melton Shares Love of Exploration with Students
Read More -
On Leadership, Courage, and Community Building
2023-24 MRC Days Focus on Portrait QualitiesRead More -
Episcopal Librarian Dives into Artificial Intelligence
Read More
