In July 2007, the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and the Judson Mead Geologic Field Station embarked on an ambitious $3 million fundraising campaign aimed at solidifying the future of the Field Station as the premier location for teaching geosciences in the field. The case was compelling, with two distinct but overlapping goals: create an endowment for the support of scholarships, course development and research, and also provide immediate funding for infrastructure improvements – namely the construction of a much-needed classroom building that could serve students in our courses as well as professionals and other users.