President Barry Mills announced his opposition to Maine's Question 1, the "Palesky tax cap," as part of his remarks at the rededication of the Bowdoin Chapel last night. The event also included a showcasing of the Chapel's organ and a reflection from Associate Professor of Art History Susan Wegner.
The rededication ceremony was attended by over 200 students, faculty, and alumni on hand for Homecoming events this weekend.
"History tells us many important lessons were learned here," Mills said of the Chapel, recalling a time when students would gather at the Chapel at least once a week to hear lectures and reflections from professors and administrators, often on the moral and political issues of the day.
Mills segued into his thoughts on the tax cap initiative, saying that it is "bad policy and bad law." He stated his opposition in terms of the interests of the College, which he called an "economic engine" for the area.
"Human capital is the answer to [Maine's] ills," he said. "Jeopardizing our children's education is a tragic mistake."
Mills did call Maine's tax burden "unacceptable," but said that "many believe the tax cap is the only way" to solve the problem. He suggested there are other "constitutional means" to relieve the burden, among them "encouraging the right people with the right ideas to run for office."
After the ceremony, Mills said that "college presidents can provide some leadership and thought to conversations" on issues such as the tax cap.
In his remarks Mills also took time to praise the people involved in the Chapel restoration, making special mention of the "on time and on budget" work of Consigli Construction. He called the restoration "magnificent" and the rededication an "important milestone" in the life of the College.
Addressing the many alumni in the audience, Mills evoked the memories students took with them from required events in the Chapel. He concluded his remarks with an invitation for all in attendance to take a moment of quiet reflection.
The invocation was offered by Robert Millar, a 1962 graduate of the College and the Secretary of the Board of Trustees Emeritus.
"This was a holy place," Millar said. "It is at the center of campus by design, not by accident."
Professor Wegner gave a brief historical sketch of the Chapel, noting that it once housed three libraries and the Walker art gallery. It has also housed academic departments, including Psychology through last semester.
Wegner offered the modern Chapel as a "symbol of the College's conscious commitment to the arts." She pointed to the adaptations of Italian renaissance paintings that line the walls of the sanctuary and the many musical performances that take place in the building.
Mills' and Wegner's remarks were framed by musical performances. Professor of Music Tony Antolini '63 conducted a performance of the twentieth-century French composer Francis Poulenc's Organ Concerto. The piece featured Sean Fleming at the organ and Mark Viehman '07 as timpani soloist. Tim Kantor '07 served as concertmaster for the string orchestra.
Antolini was thrilled to be back in the Chapel. He said that after the Chapel's internal renovation in the late nineties the Music department was ready to take advantage of the performing venue, but its plans were hampered by news that the building's towers would have to be reconstructed.
"It was a huge frustration," he said. Antolini conducts the Bowdoin Chorus, which will perform in the Chapel this weekend. He said it had always been "a dream" to conduct the Poulenc concerto.
Erin Dukeshire '05 was at the rededication and sings in the Bowdoin Chamber Choir, which often performs in the Chapel.
"It's exciting to be back singing in the Chapel," Dukeshire said. "There is no comparable space for singing on campus."
Dawn Riebeling '07 hoped that the Chapel will be put to good use "as a social, cultural, and spiritual center."
Campus scheduler Roberta Davis reported that alumni have again started booking the Chapel for weddings. The Catholic Student Union has resumed its Sunday afternoon Mass in the sanctuary, and the Music department has scheduled many of its upcoming concerts for the building.