Last year at this time, Ambassador Thomas Pickering ’53 returned to campus for his 60th reunion and presented a lecture sharing his remarkable insights into U.S. foreign policy. Now, as Bowdoin alumni once again journey back to their alma mater from around the country and the globe, the College is embarking on a classroom renovation project in Pickering’s name.

Thanks to a gift of just over $100,000 from the Class of 1953 in honor of their illustrious classmate, along with a $150,000 grant from the George I. Alden Trust, the Hubbard West classroom in Hubbard Hall will be transformed over the summer into a restored, refreshed, digital-age version of its former self. The renovation reflects the College’s ongoing commitment to preserving the historic integrity of its classrooms while upgrading them to contemporary standards. Once a reading room for the library, the classroom is reminiscent of Hubbard’s spacious Shannon Room, which was renovated with great success several years ago.

Over the coming months Bowdoin will improve Hubbard West’s acoustics, update its audiovisual equipment, replace the carpet and window shades, and install modern, versatile furnishings that will allow faculty members to use both lecture and discussion formats. The room’s ornate chandeliers, which will be outfitted with LED globes, are among many original features that will be restored.

When it reopens in the fall as the Thomas R. Pickering classroom, the room will be a flexible and functional teaching space as well as a hub for economics, government, and history students at the College.