<< Back
Though a number of major gifts have added recent momentum to the campaign supporting the Armstrong Student Center, Miami University is especially grateful to a pair of prominent Miami families who provided the first major gifts supporting a new student center on Miami’s campus.
Roger `58 and Stephany `58 Joslin and Edsel and Cynthia Ford were the first two families to attach their names to the Armstrong Student Center, providing funding for the Joslin Family Terrace on the facility’s west side and the second-floor Ford Family Meditation & Reflection Room.
The Fords, whose son Stewart is a 2010 Miami graduate, provided $300,000 to fund a meditation and reflection room in the Armstrong Student Center as part of the $1 million Ford Family Initiative on Spirituality, Meaning and Purpose. This initiative aims to bring Miami students, faculty, and staff together for important discussions about spirituality and the search for meaning.
As a key component of this innovative concept, the 600-square foot Ford Family Meditation & Reflection Room will provide a safe, physical space for multi-faith students to reflect, meditate, and pray – as well as for gathering to practice and discuss faith and personal meaning.
The Fords served four years on Miami’s Parents Council until Stewart’s recent graduation.
The Joslins celebrated their 50-year class reunion in 2008 with a $500,000 commitment that named the Joslin Family Terrace. Located on the Armstrong Student Center’s west side, this 4,000-square foot space for gathering and al fresco dining offers a view of the iconic Hub area of campus while providing entrance to the Armstrong Student Center’s signature second floor via a representation of Miami’s Slant Walk.
Their daughter Jill Joslin Gilbert `87 and son James Joslin `92 are both Miami graduates, and the Joslins were both active in the Greek system while undergraduates at Miami. They have remained active with the university through their involvement in Alumni Association programming, and Roger previously served on the Alumni Board.
More detailed information on these and other major Armstrong Student Center gifts, will be available in the “In the News” section at www.muohio.edu/ArmstrongStudentCenter.