PenDragon - the official magazine of Lyford Cay International School PenDragon Vol 4, Spring 2018 | Page 18

Mrs Dingman prepares to cut the ribbon.
Governor Katie Izmirlian speaks about the Dingman family’s role
in developing the school.
LCIS DEDICATES STATE-OF-THE-ART BUILDING IN
HONOR OF THE DINGMAN FAMILY
By Taige J Adderley, Communications Coordinator
Lyford Cay International School dedicated
its brand new, state-of-the-art multipurpose
building in honour of the Dingman family
on Thursday 12 April. The dedication was
conducted in an intimate ceremony attended
by the Dingmans’ close family and friends and
members of the LCIS community. Under the Dingmans’ tenure, the enrolment and
staff of LCIS doubled and its campus grew in size
and sophistication. During this time, the school
also received accreditation from the Council of
International Schools (CIS) and from the New
England Association of Schools and Colleges
(NEASC).
Present at the ceremony were Elizabeth
Dingman and her sons, David and Patrick.
Mrs Dingman and her late husband Michael
filled a number of official and unofficial
roles at LCIS, most prominently as lifetime
Governors beginning in the early 1990s. The
Dingmans’ vision for LCIS, as well as their
philanthropic work, leadership and dedication,
were instrumental in shaping the high-quality
educational experience that the school provides
today. The Dingman family lead the way in
establishing the school as a non-profit and
saved the school from closure and demolition
in the 90s. As the school’s lease was expiring
and alternative uses for the property were
being considered, the Dingmans successfully
negotiated the land purchase, thereby securing
the future of LCIS and allowing it to evolve into
the beloved institution that it is today. Dr Stacey Bobo, principal, noted the Dingmans’
extraordinary impact on the school, remarking,
“We would not have the opportunities we have
today or a great school to lead without the work
of Mrs Dingman and her husband. And now, this
legacy will live on through the children and the
teachers who will use Dingman Hall every day.”
Patrick Dingman shares some remarks during the ceremony.
Guests enjoyed performances from the Elementary Choir and
Steel orchestra.
Dingman Hall is a versatile building that
will host school assemblies, concerts, plays,
parent workshops, co-curriculars, student
presentations, as well as physical education
classes and lunch during inclement weather.
The building is the latest development in an
extensive master plan for the school’s expansion
that includes a picturesque new secondary
campus less than one kilometer away from the
current campus.
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(l-r) Board Co-chair
Bruce Fernie;
Principal Stacey
Bobo; David,
Elizabeth and Patrick
Dingman; Board Co-
chair Bryan Glinton