Respect for Father Grimes, Dean Emeritus with a Passion for Music, Drove Fundraising for Practice Rooms
Fordham College Honors Beloved Dean with New Music Studios
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New York,NY – The legacy of Father Robert R. Grimes, S.J., a beloved dean emeritus of Fordham College at Lincoln Centre (FCLC), was celebrated on December 7th with the dedication of the Robert R. Grimes, S.J. Music Studios. The state-of-the-art facility, featuring five practice rooms, is a testament to Father Grimes’ profound impact on the college during his two decades of leadership.
The dedication ceremony was filled with heartfelt tributes and a palpable sense of gratitude for Father Grimes’ contributions.
“Father Grimes’ dedication to our students and his unwavering support for the arts made this project a natural tribute to his legacy,” said [Name], current dean of FCLC.
the fundraising effort behind the studios was a true labor of love, fueled by the generosity of Father Grimes’ former advisory board members, family, and friends.
Betty Burns, a longtime member of Father Grimes’ advisory board, spoke passionately about his vision for the college. “Father Grimes always believed in the power of music to enrich lives and foster creativity,” she said. “These studios will provide our students with the space and resources they need to pursue their musical passions.”
The studios themselves bear the names of several generous donors, including Burns and Margitta Rose, a 1987 FCLC graduate and dedicated benefactor. Rose, who shared Father Grimes’ love of music, expressed her admiration for his leadership and commitment to the college.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, Fordham Trustee Kim B. bepler donated a Steinway piano for one of the practice rooms, further enhancing the musical experience for students.
The Robert R. Grimes, S.J. Music Studios stand as a lasting tribute to a leader who shaped the lives of countless students and left an indelible mark on Fordham college at Lincoln Center.
Fordham Unveils New Music Practice Rooms Honoring Beloved Jesuit
Fordham University has unveiled a suite of new music practice rooms, dedicated to the memory of the late Rev. Joseph M. Grimes,S.J., a beloved former dean of Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC). The rooms, made possible by generous donations from alumni and friends, provide a dedicated space for students to hone their musical talents.
The dedication ceremony, held on December 12, 2024, was attended by Fordham President Tania Tetlow, Trustee Kim B. bepler, and several donors who made the project possible. Bepler, whose generous contribution helped fund the rooms, spoke about the transformative power of music.
“Music, more than any other art form, reaches you at a level that … you can’t even express,” she said.
Maria del Pilar Ocasio-Douglas, FCRH ’88, and her husband, Gary J. Douglas, also contributed to the project. Music is a shared passion for the family, with their son, James, a Fordham junior majoring in film, teaching himself piano during the pandemic.
“When told about the project, she loved the idea of ‘giving the students a place where they can play, not be heard, and really pour themselves into it,’” Ocasio-Douglas said.
The rooms are named in honor of Father Grimes, who served as dean of FCLC from 1994 to 2014. His successor, former FCLC dean Laura Auricchio, Ph.D., spearheaded the fundraising effort after arriving at Fordham in 2019.
“Dedicated music practice rooms were ‘a must-have,’” said Auricchio, who attended the event.
Auricchio,now vice president of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation,explained the decision to name the rooms after Father Grimes.
“There were a lot of people … who felt that he deserved to have a meaningful space devoted to him,” she said.Father Grimes, an ethnomusicologist, was a tenor soloist who sang for decades with the Fordham University Chorus, Bronx Arts Ensemble, and other organizations.
Delia Peters, FCLC ’85, longtime chair of Father Grimes’ former advisory board, recalled his warm and welcoming presence at the college.
“He set a friendly and happy tone at the college—in part, through his personal attention,” Peters said.
The new music practice rooms are a testament to Father Grimes’ legacy and a valuable resource for Fordham’s aspiring musicians.
Fordham Lincoln Center Honors beloved Dean with New Music Suite
New York, NY – Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus has unveiled a new music suite named in honor of Father Robert R. Grimes, S.J., a beloved former dean who championed the arts during his tenure. The Robert R. Grimes, S.J. Music Studios will provide students with state-of-the-art practice spaces, furthering Father Grimes’ legacy of fostering artistic excellence.
[Image: Delia Peters at the dedication ceremony]
The dedication ceremony was filled with heartfelt tributes to Father Grimes,who served as dean of Fordham College at lincoln Center from 1994 to 2008. Delia Peters, a 1985 Fordham alumna who played a key role in fundraising for the music rooms, fondly recalled father Grimes’ dedication to students.
“I liked his style of ‘deaning,’” Peters said. “I woudl be walking with him down a hallway, and he would know every student’s name. And whatever was needed, he somehow found the money to fund it.”
Father Grimes, a 1975 alumnus of fordham College at Rose Hill, expressed his astonishment at the Lincoln Center campus upon his arrival as a music professor.
“I was absolutely amazed by Fordham College at Lincoln Center soon after arriving there as a music professor, and ‘started dreaming about the possibilities of what might be,’” he said in an interview.
As dean, Father Grimes tirelessly worked to realize those possibilities, encouraging faculty, students, and donors to contribute to the flourishing arts scene at Lincoln Center. His efforts resulted in numerous achievements, including the creation of early music practice rooms, the Franny’s Space rehearsal space and Veronica Lally Kehoe Theater, a faculty and student exchange program with the Juilliard School, and the Fordham College at lincoln Center Chamber Orchestra.
“It’s quite an honor” to be the namesake for the new music suite, father Grimes said. “And Fordham College Lincoln Center is very, very close to my heart. I loved my time there. And so if I’ve left a little of my sense there, I’m very happy for that.”
The robert R. Grimes, S.J.Music Studios project was made possible by the generous support of numerous individuals and families, including:
Kay Yun, PAR, and Andre Neumann-Loreck, PAR
Maria del Pilar Ocasio-Douglas, FCRH ’88, and Gary J. Douglas
Margitta Rose, FCLC ’87
Mark luis Villamar, GABELLI ’69, and wife Esther Milstead
Elizabeth A. Burns,FCLC ’83
The Grimes Family
Patricia A. Dugan Perlmuth, FCLC ’79
Delia L.Peters, FCLC ’85
The new music suite stands as a testament to Father Grimes’ enduring impact on Fordham Lincoln Center and his unwavering commitment to nurturing the talents of aspiring artists.
Fordham Honors Beloved Dean with New Music Studios: A Conversation with Laura Auricchio
Newsdirectory3.com: Fordham College at Lincoln Center has been making headlines with the dedication of the Robert R. Grimes, S.J. Music Studios. These state-of-the-art practice rooms are a direct tribute to Father Grimes’ legacy. Can you tell us about the driving force behind this project and the impact father Grimes had on the college?
Laura Auricchio (Former Dean of FCLC and project initiator): Father Grimes was deeply beloved by the FCLC community. His commitment to the arts and, particularly, music, was unwavering. As dean, he fostered a vibrant arts scene and always prioritized students’ creative pursuits. When I arrived at Fordham in 2019, the absence of dedicated music practice rooms was a glaring omission. It felt like a natural tribute to Father Grimes to spearhead the fundraising effort for these studios, ensuring students would have a space that nurtured their musical ambitions, just as he had nurtured countless others during his tenure.
Newsdirectory3.com: The dedication ceremony clearly showcased the deep affection many feel for Father Grimes.Can you share any anecdotes that capture his spirit and passion for music?
Laura Auricchio: Many remember Father Grimes’ beautiful tenor voice. He was a dedicated member of the Fordham University Chorus and Bronx arts Ensemble, sharing his love of music with the wider community. But beyond his talent, it was his unwavering belief in the transformative power of music that truly inspired. He often spoke of music’s ability to transcend boundaries and connect people on a deeply human level.
Newsdirectory3.com: The fundraising effort seems to have been a truly collaborative endeavor. What can you tell us about the generosity that made this project a reality?
Laura Auricchio: It was truly a labor of love. Former members of Father Grimes’ advisory board, alumni, and friends all contributed generously.Betty Burns, a longtime member of his advisory board, was instrumental in rallying support.Margitta Rose, an FCLC graduate who shared Father Grimes’ love of music, also made a significant contribution.
And of course, we are deeply grateful to Fordham Trustee Kim B. Bepler for her incredibly generous donation, which included a beautiful Steinway piano for one of the practice rooms.
Newsdirectory3.com: What message do you hope these studios will convey to future generations of Fordham students?
Laura Auricchio: We hope these studios serve as a constant reminder of Father Grimes’ legacy of passion, dedication, and commitment to the power of the arts. We hope they will inspire students to explore their musical talents, connect with each other, and create beautiful music for years to come.