It's Only Natural: Philanthropy Heads Outdoors

Anyone lucky enough to tour the Hunting Valley Campus with 53-year US legend Terry Harmon is in for a treat. He knows every square inch of the property—from the ground to the tree canopy—and what lies beneath, its geology and history back to the beginnings of the Pleistocene. Fast-forward to the current Holocene epoch, when University School added the Hunting Valley Campus in 1970, then Headmaster Roland McKinley hired Mr. Harmon to make the most of the rich natural resources. Since that time, Mr. Harmon has built and maintained, with the help of many students and other faculty members, a maple sugaring operation, fish hatchery, test forests, bee apiaries, and numerous other outdoor projects.

In gratitude for what their sons have experienced and accomplished under the guidance of all faculty and staff involved in Outdoor Projects, US families have made new commitments to perpetuate these uniquely US programs. Their gifts will ensure future generations of students will practice and appreciate the hard work that comes with working outdoors and know the joys of learning about the natural world on our remarkable stretches of field and forest. 

One of the first projects Mr. Harmon tackled in 1972 was building the trout hatchery at the base of the earthen dam that creates Kilroy Lake. He enlisted the help of many students and the hatchery quickly became an essential part of the outdoor program and the science curriculum. 

The Stewart-Bates family made a lead gift, and that, along with gifts from several other families, have made it financially possible to reimagine the hatchery and surrounding area, and expand its uses in the curriculum. The Stewart-Bates Family made the gift in appreciation of the wonderful education their three sons (Ian ’09, Ben ’11, Charlie ’16) received at US. Participating in the outdoor projects program with Mr. Harmon was a remarkable and inspiring experience for them.  

It is no mean feat to rebuild a structure at the bottom of a steep and deep ravine. Thankfully, US is lucky enough to have had another long-time staff member who was also rarely spotted indoors: Dan Dickson. Though recently retired, Mr. Dickson was University School’s resident do-it-yourselfer, figure-it-outer, and master carpenter and woodworker for 43 years. He managed the construction of the new hatchery, designing it with Mr. Harmon, and did much of the construction himself. To address the complicated challenge of transporting building material, Mr. Dickson came up with the creative solution of installing a railcar running from the top to the bottom of the dam to easily transport material. Appearing to have been designed by the goblins of Gringotts, the rail system worked like a charm. 

 

The structure retains its original footprint and continues to house three concrete fish-nursery pools and several troughs for egg and fry (juvenile fish) development. The improvements enhance access to technology, electricity, and equipment storage. The design includes a flume to transport, measure, and monitor the flow of water from Kilroy Lake into the pools and troughs of this newly enhanced water lab and research facility. The faculty, including Science Chair Dr. Sara Laux, are looking forward to capturing new data about water flow in and out of the lake, and adding this to historical data that Mr. Harmon has amassed over half a century. Students will use this “big data” for experiment design, longitudinal studies, statistical analysis, and to make scientific projections. 

The improved Water Lab & Fish Hatchery and the (currently non-functioning) adjacent hydropower plant has inspired faculty members like Dr. Paul Moody, Upper School Math & Physics teacher. This year, he will teach a spring semester elective, a project-based learning class on fluid mechanics. Dr. Moody shares his plans, "In order to understand our hydropower system, the students will need to learn things like pressure, fluid flow, energy, and momentum. At the end of the semester, they will produce a technical report on the state of our current system and what it would take to make the system operational again." Though this last bit, making the system operational again, will likely take the work of many students over many semesters, Dr. Moody sees the future when it will supply power to the school's grid.

 

Whether due to natural evolution or urbanization, the forest to the south of the Hunting Valley driveway has become substantially wetter over the years. With the change in hydrology, some trees are failing, and a great source of maple sugar is diminishing. 

Rather than become discouraged by the change, the US faculty sees an opportunity to get students involved in forestry management. Working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and following visits to Cleveland Metropark locations and the Holden Arboretum, the US science faculty are eager to have students develop a long-term forestry management program for the campus. This is an interdisciplinary (science, finance, government) opportunity for the boys. Students will assess the conditions of the existing forest, identify measurable goals for the site, and implement their plan. 

Although the Hunting Valley Campus comes to mind when thinking about outdoor learning, the Shaker Campus recently received an outdoor learning revitalization. The Class of 1970 Arboretum located on the Brantley Road side of campus provides an unparalleled place for our young learners to engage with and study nature in one of the oldest standing woodland forest in Shaker Heights. 

Inspired by the vision and philanthropy of Trustee Tom Tormey ’70 and his classmates, the Arboretum has been enlivened and re-imagined as a truly special place providing a wealth of opportunities for learning. Mr. Tormey has always been passionate about the magic that occurs when boys are exposed to the natural world, and it was important to him that the Shaker Campus provide as rich an opportunity to engage with nature as our Hunting Valley Campus. 

Now, when you venture into the Arboretum, you can meander on paths made of wood chips, shoveled and spread by eighth graders. On your stroll, you will encounter four clearings among the trees designed for outdoor learning or just taking a moment. First is an amphitheater built in honor of science teacher and coach, Cosmo DiBiasio—known as "Cos"—who served US for 32 years. It is made of large blocks of Berea Sandstone laid in a stepped semicircle. Next you will find a structure housing a whiteboard surrounded by seating created from logs from the old playground under a canopy of diverse trees. The last two clearings are in their most natural state, one covered in moss and the other in lilies of the valley. The Arboretum is home now to a vernal pool, staked out by eighth-grade science teacher Dr. Erick Carlson and dug by him and his students. Already, the pool has attracted frogs, salamanders, toads, newts, and deer. These early residents will no doubt provide wonderful opportunities for discovery and study. 

Thanks to the generosity of the Herrick Family, the Harmon Outdoor Classroom was created on the shore of Kilroy Lake in 2016 and features a tiered seating area made from local sandstone. The gathering space expands our teaching spaces with a beautiful and peaceful setting offering a gorgeous view of the lake. This is the ideal place to gather a class for a change of scenery, a moment in nature, or a breath of fresh air. The space also offers an opportunity for individuals or small groups to gather to enjoy the view, play a game, or appreciate the peace and quiet amidst the hustle of school life.

Our Outdoor Project program sets US apart. With the vision and support of many philanthropic partners, Mr. Harmon and his colleagues have changed the trajectory of multitudes of young men's lives. Some were even sparked to pursue education or other careers in the sciences, All, however, have earned a deep appreciation and enjoyment of our natural world. 

We are indebted to the vision of many families who have supported the outdoor program through their philanthropy. With their support and Mr. Harmon’s leadership, US boys have unparalleled opportunities to immerse themselves in nature and take advantage of all that flows there from. 

To honor and perpetuate his living legacy, one of Mr. Harmon’s many fans has provided a $1 million lead gift to help establish the Harmon Chair in Environmental Studies and Outdoor Education. US is now accepting gifts to match this gift and fully fund a $2 million endowed chair to secure Mr. Harmon’s vision of immersing boys in nature so it remains a permanent part of our US culture for generations to come.