Press Release

Naropa University Receives State Historical Fund Grant:

Sixth Largest Grant Awarded in State during Recent Funding Round

Money Earmarked To Restore 102-year-old Lincoln Building

BOULDER, Colo. (February 16, 2005) -- Naropa University (Boulder, Colo.) announced that it has received a State Historical Fund grant from the Colorado Historical Society to launch phase one preservation of the 102-year-old Lincoln Elementary School building, which now serves as the centerpiece of Naropa's campus at 2130 Arapahoe Ave. in Boulder. The grant award was $213, 482 for phase one work, which includes completing preservation of the building's front façade, reconstructing a missing bell tower and replacing the obsolete boiler. Naropa's award was the sixth largest grant given by the Colorado Historical Society through the State Historical Fund program during its second grant round of this fiscal year. Naropa University purchased Lincoln Elementary School from the Boulder Valley School District in 1987.

"Naropa University is very mindful of its place in the history of Boulder and is committed to restoring the exterior of the Lincoln building to its original beauty, as well as improving the accessibility of the interior while maintaining its wonderful historic character," said Naropa University President Thomas B. Coburn. "We believe that our aims will benefit not only Naropa, but the broader Boulder community as well. We are proud to be able to maintain the Lincoln building's character as a center of learning in the community, preserving a legacy begun more than 100 years ago."

Erected in 1903 along with its twin, Washington Elementary School, the Lincoln Elementary School building is a reminder of an earlier period in the City of Boulder's history. The school building included such modern conveniences for the time as electricity and indoor plumbing, as well as a smaller class size (38 pupils per teacher) compared to the 60:1 student-teacher ratio common in that era.

The Lincoln Elementary School played a key role in the life of the historic Goss-Grove neighborhood of Boulder in the early 20th century. In addition to educating more than 250 local school children each year, the school served as a cultural center and geographical landmark for the community as a whole.

Both Lincoln and Washington Elementary Schools were designed by a prominent local architect of the time, Watson Vernon. Vernon's design of Lincoln Elementary School incorporates many of the distinguishing architectural features of the Italianate style popular in Boulder during that period, including the low-pitched hip roof; scrolled brackets beneath wide, overhanging eaves; tall, narrow windows; a deep, arched entry; columns with elaborate Corinthian capitals; and a prominent cupola or bell tower. (The cupola was removed in 1967, but will be reconstructed during Naropa University's phase one work on the building.)

Naropa University is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian liberal arts institution whose core mission is contemplative education. Contemplative education is an approach to learning that integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational traditions, creating and implementing a new paradigm in higher education. This model seeks to help students know themselves deeply so that they can engage constructively in a world of individuals who are not like themselves. The university comprises a four year undergraduate college and graduate programs in the arts, education, environmental studies, psychology, religious studies, and creation spirituality. It offers BA, BFA, MA, MFA, MDiv and MLA degrees, as well as professional development training and classes for the community through its School of Extended Studies. In addition, the university runs study abroad programs in Sikkim, North India and Prague, Czech Republic. For more information, visit www.naropa.edu.

Contact:

Jane Rubinstein
Manager, Public Relations
Naropa University
PH 303-245-4643
FAX 303-245-4676
Jrubinstein@naropa.edu
www.naropa.edu