Story by Linda Skidmore, Writer and Media Relations Coordinator for Davis & Elkins
Photo Gallery
ELKINS, W.Va. – The dedication of the George A. Myles Pool at Davis & Elkins College cumulated with a big splash Friday as six members of the top-ranked Senators Swim Team simultaneously dove into the water. Students, faculty, staff and members of the community filled the upper deck to join in the celebration.
"I think my father would be very pleased if he knew what all has been accomplished, and what the students have done to make this happen," said Myles' daughter, June Myles, who serves as chair of the College's Board of Trustees.
Trustee Wendell Cramer, '59, spoke to the crowd, telling them of his long-time friendship with George Myles.
"I worked with George for 45 years," Cramer said. "He was kind and generous. He taught me a lot and helped me in my business. Now, June has done so many wonderful things, especially behind this project, and the dedication of this facility is a commendation of all the things George did."
That spirit of kindness, and the acts of giving and working together are common themes built into the efforts to fund repairs to the pool.
In his remarks to those gathered to witness the occasion, D&E President Dr. Michael Mihalyo recanted the tragedy, and then triumph, that led to the pool restoration and dedication. Just prior to Easter in 2012, a storm took down the roof overhang of the 38-year-old Hermanson Center. Engineering studies later revealed the inner steel structure of the roof was corroded, leaving no choice but to replace the entire roof and pool ventilating system at a cost of $891,000.
To fund the project, a former member of the College's Board of Trustees, and a current Trustee, each offered gifts totaling $300,000. Inspired by that generosity, Student Assembly, led by then-president Alex Torres, initiated a $200,000 challenge gift. The Raise the Roof Campaign was born, and resulted in gifts from 230 alumni, friends and foundations.
Renovations include a new slanted roof and a ventilation system, digital pace clocks for lap swimmers, and renovations to the men's and women's locker rooms. In addition, The Inter-Mountain newspaper provided generous support for a new state-of-the-art scoreboard.
Heather Goodwin Henline, Publisher and General Manager of The Inter-Mountain, addressed the crowd saying that while the newspaper is proud to play a role in the overall project, the College is blessed to have an active leadership.
"I applaud Chairwoman June Myles for her unwavering dedication to the college, the arts and this community as a whole," Henline said. "Both she and D&E President Michael Mihalyo are champions not only of the arts, but also of anything that serves the greater good and enriches this area.
"D&E encourages dreamers, but the college takes it one step further. It supports doers," Henline continued. "These are the leaders who change our lives, who change the nation and who change the world — usually by starting in their own neighborhoods."
Noting some of those dreams that became accomplishments, Mihalyo explained that the swim team moved from non-competitive to competitive, and is now ranked No. 23 in Endless Pools' Top 25. He also commended Head Swim Coach Nick Smith for his leadership and recruitment efforts.
Captain of the Men's Senator Swim Team Pate Mannon, a senior from Huntington, W.Va., thanked all those who helped in transforming the pool area.
"This is the nicest facility in West Virginia," Mannon said. "From the new locker rooms to the scoreboard to the roof over our head, it makes all of us proud to be a Senator."
Also speaking at the dedication was Peggy Hawse, Regional Representative to U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin. Speaking on behalf of the Senator, Hawse commended the team on its ranking and recognized the efforts that had been put into the renovations.
"What a wonderful collaboration you have," Hawse said. "It shows you care about the institution."
The Senators host Alderson Broaddus University on October 19 and then go on the road to take on Saint Andrews on October 26.
Pool Dedication Part 1
Pool Dedication Part 2
Pool Dedication Part 3
