Butler’s Ruhlman Family Center Featured in Chagrin Valley Times

Head of School Christina Breen, Director of Development Maegan Ruhlman Cross ‘03, and Shannon Lukz, Associate Director of Butler for Outdoor PreK and Grades 3-5, were all featured in the story, which highlighted the RFC from conceptualization to realization. The space, which spans 11,000 square feet and incorporates the environment around it with large windows and natural light, will be home to Grades Three and Five at Butler. The RFC also includes meeting spaces, flexible classroom space, a full dining room, and an outdoor amphitheater that seats 150. 

Barbara Peterson Ruhlman ‘50 gifted the school $4.6 million upon her death in 2022 in support of the creation of the building. The story states that, “Her family’s lead gift for the center was followed by more than 40 donors, including many alumni, who shared in that same commitment with significant contributions, raising $8.3 million for the multi-use space. 

In the article, Maegan Ruhlman Cross states, “We have known for a long time these grade levels need flexible, open learning spaces, which aligned perfectly with her grandmother’s ongoing commitment to helping the school expand and ‘dream big’”.

Of the “Gator Nation Relocation event, Ms. Breen stated that, “It really encapsulates what Laurel is about: bringing our community and our girls together, pulling up our sleeves and getting to work. It [was] a mostly really fun day and an opportunity for the joy to be on full display.” 

Ms. Lukz stated that, “the classroom spaces at the center for indoor learning and the exposure to the outdoors is so inspiring. The girls are continuing to be connected to the natural world.”