Dear Fellow Cornell Alumni and Friends of Cornell,

There are moments that remind us why we fell in love with learning in the first place. On Sunday, May 17th from 2:00 to 3:30 PM, Washington Latin Public Charter Schools invites you to one of those moments.

We are celebrating the opening of the Hunter Rawlings Reading Room at Washington Latin's Cooper Campus — a naming that honors the man who, as Cornell's president, championed the humanities with uncommon conviction and has been a steadfast advocate for Washington Latin's mission for more than a decade. Hunter himself will be present, and the occasion will bring together Cornell alumni, Latin community members, and friends who share a belief that rigorous, humanistic education belongs to every student — not just those who can afford to seek it out.

Hunter once said of Washington Latin's students: "It is not so much that these students need the humanities, but rather that the Humanities need these students." That sentence captures everything. We hope you'll come hear us reflect on that on a campus that will have a room that will bear his name.

This event is especially personal for the two of us. Between us, we have spent nearly three decades connected to this school — Bill in a variety of roles over the past 19 years, including as the Assistant Principal of the Anna Julia Cooper Campus for the past three, and Brad as a Latin parent for 8 — and we have both watched Hunter's influence shape the school's identity and its students' lives in ways that are difficult to overstate. We can think of few people more deserving of this honor, and few occasions for which it is more worthy to gather.

THE DETAILS

This event is presented in partnership with the Cornell Club of Washington.

Light food and drinks will be served
$60 per person | $100 per couple

REGISTER and pay securely online.

Payment can also be made by check payable to Washington Latin Public Charter Schools, mailed to 5200 2nd Street, Washington, DC 20011.

Additional contributions beyond the ticket price are warmly welcomed and are fully tax-deductible — Washington Latin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If you would like to make a gift in honor of this occasion or in support of the Reading Room campaign, you may do so at the time of registration or by contacting Ewing Moussa at emoussa@latinpcs.org.

GETTING THERE

Limited on-site parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood, and a bus stop is conveniently located nearby. Rideshare drop-off is also an easy option. The campus is located at 4301 Harewood Road NE, Washington, DC 20017.

Please RSVP by May 8th  or by contacting Ewing Moussa (emoussa@latinpcs.org). 

Space is limited, and we'd love to see a strong Cornell presence in the room.

With Big Red pride and warm regards,

Bill Clausen '05
Assistant Principal, Anna Julia Cooper Campus
Washington Latin Public Charter Schools

Brad Olander '89
Washington Latin Parent