Renovated Sarah Lawrence Residence Hall Renamed OSilas Opens with Grant from Vicki and Si Ford

By Judith Schwartzstein, Director of Public Affairs, Sarah Lawrence College

Sep. 14, 2016:  Thirty-four lucky students at Sarah Lawrence College moved into a recently renovated residence hall formerly called Gilbert, now OSilas, named for trustee and alumna Olivia "Vicki" Ford and her husband, Si (Silas), of Bronxville.

The couple donated a leadership gift to the college's Campaign for Sarah Lawrence to fund a "top-to-bottom" renovation of one of the original college buildings in which Vicki lived during her years as an undergraduate.

Construction of Gilbert was completed in 1928, just before the first students arrived at the newly chartered Sarah Lawrence College. OSilas opened just in time for students' arrival for the start of the college's 89th year.

"I love that they've retained the nice, classic feel of an older building while still updating everything," said the mother of Lillie Rice, '19, Christine Rice. "The study room is fantastic and modern. But as a building, it still fits with the character of the old dorms and the campus."

"Everything is brand new and decorated brilliantly," said resident Zingqi Lu '19.

Chance Sevigny, '18, said, "It has a really great ambiance and was so well designed."

"With this generous donation, Vicki Ford thoughtfully coupled the need to address pressing maintenance issues for one of the college's oldest and most beloved buildings with her own cherished memories as an undergraduate living in Gilbert," said Ellen Reynolds, interim vice president of advancement.

"To see a well-constructed building conserved to serve the present and the future is a joy for me and my husband," said Vicki Ford. 

Pictured here:  A newly renovated room in OSilas residence hall at Sarah Lawrence College.

Photo courtesy Judith Schwartzstein, Vice President for Communications, Sarah Lawrence College