Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ

By Debby Sycamore

Years ago, when the Boynton family was determining the best way to protect and preserve their beautiful, wooded, waterfront Door County retreat, several academic institutions were approached (so the story goes). The archive department at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ was unable to provide a definitive timeline, never mind confirmation, of which institutions were contacted and considered for acquiring the property. That being said, I have it on reasonable authority that Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ was not the first to be approached – but, fortunately, Curtis Tarr, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ’s 12th president, ensured that Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ was the last. In 1963, he and the Board of Trustees decided to say yes to the Boyntons’ bequest. Then, three decades later, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ’s 14th president, Rik Warch, convinced the Board to say yes again to rebuilding µþÂáö°ù°ì±ô³Ü²Ô»å±ð²Ô after a devastating fire. Without both of those yeses, there would be no ‘Northern Campus’ at µþÂáö°ù°ì±ô³Ü²Ô»å±ð²Ô. No pristine undeveloped shorefront to walk. No Seminars. No "Sanctuary for All," as the Boyntons envisioned. It is hard to imagine this property being anything else. The stories shared by current students, fellow alumni, and lifelong learners from all over the country about their experiences here are truly uplifting. Profound thanks to all those responsible for saying yes years ago, and to those who continue to say yes through their time, funds, and talents. What a gift. What a legacy. Yes!