Had he not so tragically lost his life at the age of 20, Martin Lenz Harrison would be turning forty this year, along with his classmates from MPA's first graduating class.  When Martin's parents learned that MPA was entering into a major construction campaign five years ago, they wanted to help.  Their $1.5 million gift to MPA in the fall of 2004, to name the new library in Martin's memory, represented a critical catalyst in the early stages of the Coming of Age Campaign.

But in addition, they felt it important that the very special group of students who welcomed Martin into their midst be remembered through some kind of image.  And they had a specific image in mind.  A newspaper photographer happened to be there on that June evening 22 years ago to capture the exuberance of nine pioneers.  It was that image that stayed in Ingrid's mind all those years.

So when portrait artist and first MPA Parents Association president Michael Witenstein offered to do an original portrait in honor of MPA's 25th anniversary last year, it was obvious what that portrait should be.  Michael saw the image, saw its potential, and immediately went to work.

The unveiling of the finished portrait this week brought back memories of those incredible founding years.  "We were all friends going in to senior year, but Martin really completed our class.  He was special," said Danny Kaplan, a member of the class and one of the original students from MPA's first year in 1982.  Danny and three other members of the graduating class of nine - Sheri Boerbon Lyons, Sandra Soucheray Collister and David Gigerich - joined family, alumni from the classes of 1987 and 1988, co-founders Bob Kreischer and Sandy Kreischer Smith, current and past trustees and Alfred and Ingrid Harrison to celebrate the completion and delivery of the portrait.

The portrait is currently on display in the Large Conference Room above the north lobby and will be moved to the new library upon completion of Phase III.  No date has yet been set for the launch of Phase III construction, but the Martin Lenz Harrison Library will be built at the site of the old gym.  Phase II construction, including the Lansing Sports Center and two story classroom addition, was completed in the summer of 2006. 

Martin attended MPA for only one year - his senior year - but according to his mother Ingrid Lenz Harrison, it changed his life. "Coming from a different independent school, Martin brought with him some of the typical traditions, like 'senior skip' day, and I don't think Mr. Kreischer was very happy about that.  But," she went on, "he was truly transformed by the experience of being at MPA."

The Harrison's generous contribution in the fall of 2004 spurred other significant donations and, together with the incredible support of the MPA community, made Phase II construction possible.

Artist Michael Witenstein flew in from his home in California for the unveiling and had a chance to spend some time in the building before the ceremony.  He remembered the special quality of the MPA experience from his years as a parent, "and when I walked the halls today, I could tell that the special feeling is still here after all these years."

To look at the portrait of the class of 1986 is to experience that special feeling.

From left:  David Gigerich, Sheri Lee Boerbon Lyons, Danny Kaplan and 

Sandra Soucheray Collister