Celebrating a Year of Community and Legacy

This week, Tabor celebrates a significant milestone: the first anniversary of the Travis Roy Campus Center, affectionately dubbed "The Trav." Named in honor of Travis Roy ’95, the Campus Center is more than just a building, but a beacon of innovation and community that carries his legacy forward. 

On March 21, 2023, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held before opening the doors to the tremendous 20,000-square-foot addition to campus. Over 800 Seawolves united on the Benenson Terrace, the campus center patio made possible through the generosity of Clement Benenson ’00. Students, faculty, alumni, and friends gathered to commemorate not just the launch of the new space, but to honor the enduring spirit of one of our own. 

As we mark this milestone, we honor the leadership donors who have contributed to making "The Trav" a landmark on our shared map. From the grand gestures of the Class of 1995 to the daily camaraderie within the Martignetti Student Union, each story adds to the legend and legacy of the School by the Sea. 

Café 95: Anchoring Memories and Legacy 

At the heart of the anniversary celebration is the naming of Café 95, a dream realized through the collective effort of Tabor’s Class of 1995. Guided by Maija Scarpaci ’95 and Nicole DeBlois Greene ’95, this initiative saw Class of 1995 alumni, families, and friends rallying together, raising over $200,000 to support their alma mater. The aptly named Café 95 now stands as a testament to the spirit of camaraderie and resilience that Roy embodied. 

"Tabor was two years of school for Travis, but it was a love that lasted his whole life," shared Scarpaci during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, her words a potent reminder of the lifelong bond one shares with the School by the Sea. Echoing Scarpaci, Amanda Lackey Murray ’95 reminisced, "The four years I spent at Tabor provided me not only with life-long learning skills that have benefitted me in all aspects of my life, but also the most meaningful lifetime friendships. It is because of these extraordinarily special connections that I feel it is important to give back.” 

Both sentiments serve as a compass, guiding a collective endeavor to give back and honor the connections forged on our campus.

Stanley G. Welsh Library: Navigating Through Legacy 

This year, we also celebrated the christening of the Stanley G. Welsh Library, a tribute to a legacy that spans nearly a century at Tabor. This dedication is a salute to the enduring support of Stanley Welsh ’29, who charted a course of generosity and foresight that has propelled the school forward. His contributions, through a charitable remainder unitrust, have bolstered Tabor's voyage for three decades, a testament to his unwavering commitment to the School by the Sea. 

This dedication is about more than simply recognizing financial support; it's about honoring a legacy that spans generations. Stanley was not only an alumnus but also a trustee, parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent to Tabor scholars. His family, deeply woven into the fabric of our school, reflects the enduring bonds and commitment to Tabor. 

The unveiling of the library’s name was a momentous occasion, celebrated just outside the Rice Family Conference Room, made possible by the generosity of Bill Rice Sr. and his son Bill Rice Jr. ’94, where the board of trustees meets. Lisa Welsh Eyler ’87, a trustee and Stanley's granddaughter, took part in the unveiling with pride, as her family’s legacy is now immortalized within the walls of Tabor. 

A Place to Gather and Get Centered

The Travis Roy Campus Center has made a large impact on student life at Tabor, quickly becoming one of the busiest spots on campus. Here you can find Seawolves grabbing a quick snack from Debbie at Café 95, playing arcade games in The Martignetti Student Union, studying in the library, visiting the archives, and getting academic help in the Robert V. & Catherine H. Sweeney ASSIST Center, made possible through the generosity of Dan Fireman ’90 and Paul Fireman ’62.

Located in the center of campus, “The Trav” embodies the fierce unity and diversity that Tabor champions. A bustling building, it has hosted events such as senior project presentations, Reunion, Fall Family Weekend, winter art receptions, and many weekend activities.  For many day students, it has become a space that they can call their second home.  

The Travis Roy Campus Center would not be possible without our leadership donors. Prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony one year ago, Tabor recognized those who contributed to the project with a donor reception. One year later, we would like to showcase our gratitude for making this vision a reality, and for their commitment to building a stronger School by the Sea.

“Travis supported Tabor with his time, investment, and thoughtfulness, and he championed the Campus Center,” notes Trustee Steve Sprague ’68. “This project is something Travis felt strongly would enhance the student experience, and I'm really sorry that he didn't stay with us long enough to see it completed.”

Today, Travis’ memory and legacy lives on through the Campus Center and every Seawolf that gathers there.