Fordham Preparatory School - Ramview Ramview Spring 2019 | Page 9

Gerry Karr ’68 - A Distinctive View of the Prep
You have to look at things
differently to be an architect.
Angles, approaches, arches all
offer intriguing perspectives on
the world. For Prep graduate
Gerry Karr ’68, looking at things
in unique ways is in his DNA. His
background as an architect, Prep
alumnus and out-of-the-box
thinker made him the ideal
person to lead the Facilities
Committee of the Board of
Trustees that oversaw the
development of the East Wing
Project.
present at weekly project meetings and it was in these meetings
that evidence of Karr’s unique education surfaced. He took a
philosophical approach. “It’s vital to integrate the physical reality
of the school with its mission. In the end, the school building is
going to be a tangible expression of the vision of the future for
the school.”
It is this sense of constant renewal that is the most impactful
part of the East Wing Project for Karr. “Where there is physical,
spiritual and intellectual education and personal growth, I think
the building has to be a worthy vessel for all of that.” He cited
the renovations of the field and locker rooms and the relocation
of the chapel to its current spot as examples of that ideal in
action. “The East Wing addition is part of that progression. It
celebrates the mission of the Prep and strengthens its
educational capabilities.”
Gerry’s time at the Prep was positive and he praised several
teachers for mentoring him. Fr. Arthur Shea SJ, (for whom the
current building is named), S. Jerome Martin, his English teacher,
and several Jesuit scholastics. In fact, the Jesuit influence led Karr
to attend Fordham University after the Prep. But clashing thoughts
about his education gnawed at Karr during his time at Rose Hill.
When asked about how Gerry wanted to be remembered for
his endeavors, he remained humble, “I simply made my
contribution to a tradition of caring. I cared for the physical
environment and the financial conditions that are involved in
these capital projects. I like to think it will excite and inspire the
next generation of Prep students.”
“Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to be an architect.
But I chose Fordham College because I valued a liberal arts
education. If I went to architecture school immediately, I
wouldn’t have been immersed in history, philosophy, theology
or writing.” Little did Karr and the Prep know then that this
confluence of liberal arts and architecture would lead to Karr’s
involvement in the current Campus Enhancement Plan.
Karr eventually earned a Master’s of Architecture degree at the
University of Colorado and entered the real world after seven
years of university education. “I was ready to start my own firm
but a terrible recession hit Colorado, so I changed my plans.” He
continued, “I learned that the economics of the architectural
business were pretty rough at the time. It was a tough way for a
poor kid from New York to make a living, so I returned to New
York and took a facilities job at the American Stock Exchange.”
After that, he made a career in commercial real estate in New
York and Florida before he returned to the northeast and
reconnected with the Prep at his 40th reunion.
Fr. Boller asked him to become a trustee because of his
knowledge of architecture and real estate. Karr credits Joan
Wollman of the Development Office for being the matchmaker.
Gerry and fellow alumnus Tim Tostanowski ’74 headed the
facilities committee for the Board of Trustees and were involved
in the Boller Science Center on the 4th floor, and what would
become the East Wing Project. Tostanowski and Karr were
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