Foxcroft Celebrates Grand Opening of New Mars STEAM Building

“Four extraordinary women and their multi-generational gift made this building possible,” she continued. “Victoria, Pamela, Bernadette, and Charlotte, you have shown important leadership and care for your alma mater, and you have set a powerful example for our past, present, and future students with your strong and sustained support for Foxcroft. …we as a community cannot thank you enough for this tremendous gift.”

In 2023, sisters Victoria Beth Mars ’74 and Pamela Mars Wright ’78, and their daughters Bernadette Victoria Russell ’03 and Charlotte Audrey Rossetter ’12, together gifted the School an extraordinary $22 million to launch the construction of the building. 

“Standing here today looking at this incredible building, I'm struck by the power of a shared vision,” offered Russell ’03. “The building is not just about the brick and mortar … It's our way of ensuring that the next generation of Foxcroft girls has the tools to lead in fields that may not even exist yet. I'm most proud of the fact that this building was built by women for women, supported by a multi-generational legacy. Girls, I hope you feel the weight of the support behind you. We believe in your intellect, your creativity, and your future.”

The two-story, nearly 18,000-square-foot Mars STEAM Building houses biology, chemistry, and physics labs; two STEAM classrooms; student project spaces, an over 1,700 square foot garden with an outdoor blackboard and composting bins all accessible to the biology lab; a completely modernized dark room outfitted with dry and wet labs; a construction shop with machinery for engineering projects; a finishing shop with a painting spray booth and an electric drying cabinet to put the final touches on projects; and more! 

“I'm always impressed by the transformational nature of [this] School,” shared Wright ’78. “It's a unique place for young girls to come and find out who they really are or who maybe they want to become, and that's done without the constraints of being told what they can or can't be. You can be whatever you want to be… Now add a building that encourages girls to delve into areas not commonly associated with their supposed areas of expertise, and you have all the ingredients needed to inspire magic from the students. Foxcroft is a magical place … I'm so excited to see what it can do for the future.”

In addition to the four Mars women, Foxcroft would like to thank the many people who have contributed to this project and to the Building for Our Future campaign, and in particular, those whose generosity allowed spaces and classrooms to come to life — Kaye Durham ’81, Mary Park Durham ’17, the Edgerton Foundation & Lauren Edgerton ’04, the estate of Barbara Lawrence Garside ’52, Kate Hastings ’78, Hope Haskell Jones ’52, Hope Haskell Jones ’82, Jackie Kleinhans ’05, Anne Michele Kuhns ’87, Diana Hardin Walker ’59, and the Class of 1964, who donated in honor of Dr. Stephanie Briggs Bennett ’64.

“Today … we take an important step in expanding Foxcroft's legacy,” affirmed Board of Trustees Chair Elizabeth Lester ’88, “one shaped by Miss Charlotte and strengthened by generations of alumnae, faculty, and staff. The world is evolving rapidly across every area of STEAM — science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. The future will belong to those who can learn, adapt, and think creatively across these disciplines and fields. This building is where the future begins to unfold and where Foxcroft's enduring, ever-growing legacy continues to take shape.”

Following the comments and ribbon-cutting, guests were invited to a reception and encouraged to explore the building. Many of the alumnae were overjoyed to see that several of the student-drawn murals from the old Science Wing of Schoolhouse had been made into vinyl wallpaper that hung in several spaces throughout the building. Guests also appreciated the “beautiful wood beams” on the vaulted ceiling and the bright, open classrooms. 

If you were unable to attend the ceremony, but would like to see the building, the School will be offering additional tour times in the coming weeks. Please email Hayley Munroe, Director of Institutional Advancement at hayley.munroe@foxcroft.org to schedule a tour.