The 16th Street front entrance to Carnegie’s P Street building sports new banners for the centennial exhibition.
 Guests arrive to the music of bagpipes. |
On December 1, 2001, the front entrance of Carnegie’s P Street building was used for the first time in memory. At 2 p.m., some 250 Carnegie scientists, staff, and their friends and families began arriving for the preview of the centennial exhibition, Our Expanding Universe. While the adults toured the exhibition, Inés Cifuentes and Greg Taylor of CASE and First Light hosted hands-on science for the children in the Root Auditorium. There were squeals of delight as the lights went out and the youngsters learned about the mechanics of lightning-bug communication by mimicking the insects’ behavior using light sticks. Afterward, visitors attended a reception in the library.
The centennial gala, which marked the official opening of the exhibition, was held the evening of December 6. More than 150 guests entered the historic building to the music of bagpipes. Visitors snaked through exhibits in the boardroom, reception area, and rotunda as they learned about Carnegie’s prominent past, distinguished present, and exciting future. At 9 p.m., everyone collected in the auditorium for remarks by the chairman of the board, Tom Urban. Urban recounted some of the significant— and surprising—scientific accomplishments that have come from the institution over the years and emphasized the importance of Carnegie’s future plans.
To ensure that the institution continues to produce science of the caliber that everyone has come to expect, Urban announced the initiation of the five-part, $75-million capital campaign, The Carnegie Campaign for Science (see Fall 2001 Spectra). He thanked the generous individuals and philanthropies who had already made significant contributions and pledges.
Maxine Singer, Carnegie president, spoke next. In line with the institution’s efforts to increase the quality of science and mathematics education in Washington, and as part of its centennial celebration, Carnegie sponsored a T-shirt design contest for area middle and high school students. Designs representing Carnegie science came from art and science students throughout the Washington area. Trustee Deborah Rose, Greg Taylor, and Inés Cifuentes judged the entries. Maxine Singer announced the winner at the gala— Mindy Liu of Lesli Adler’s class at Thomas S. Wootton High School. Mindy attended the celebration with her parents, receiving as her prize a $200 U.S. Savings Bond. After the announcement, Singer invited guests to the library for dessert and brandy.
All Photos Courtesy Bob Bloch