Construction on SOC's New Home Officially Begins

On behalf of the American University community, I am proud to share some exciting news. On June 25th, Sigal Construction, a local contractor known for its commitment to environmental sustainability, began the process of transforming AU's historic McKinley Building into the modern home of the School of Communication (SOC). This milestone brings us one step closer to creating a cutting-edge building that will unite our innovative technological and academic resources, and accelerate our pioneering work in communication education.

As we witness the creation of SOC's new home, the philanthropic support of alumni and friends remains vital to ensuring the building's completion in time for the 2013-14 academic year. Simply put, there is no better time to give than now.

I would like to thank those of you who have stepped forward to help the Campaign for SOC reach this pivotal moment, particularly those who have provided generous philanthropic support to the campaign by naming a space in the new building. A variety of naming opportunities remain, and I encourage you to learn more about how you can join other alumni leaders and friends who have financially supported this effort.

In the coming months, we will hold several campaign-related events across the country, including a special on-campus "Groundbreaking" on Saturday, October 20th during All-American Weekend. Please watch your email for information about this and other events in the coming weeks.

Our goal remains ambitious - and SOC's role in the new era of communication leadership will be defined by what we give today.

Our time is now.

David R. Drobis, SOC/MA '65
Member, American University Board of Trustees
Chairman Emeritus, Ketchum