Believing that you are never too young to make a major donation to a cause or institution in which you believe, Manisha Ahuja Sethi ’94 and Ritu Ahuja ’97 are donating $1 million to restore Hathaway Brown’s auditorium and upgrade its theater arts facilities. Manisha and Ritu, daughters of noted Cleveland businessman and philanthropist Monte Ahuja and his wife, Usha, feel fortunate to be able to continue their family’s legacy of philanthropy. The Ahuja Charitable Foundation, a private family foundation, is well known and well respected throughout the Cleveland region for its generous support of cultural, educational and health care institutions.

Giving Back[ at any age ]

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Spring 2009

4 6hb

by Shirley Reynolds

As a past trustee of private educational institutions, Margot Davenport Stone ’64 holds a deep appreciation of the philanthropic support independent schools receive to meet contemporary needs. Margot and her sister, Deborah Davenport, and their cousin Caroline Kling Arms ’59 are the granddaughters of Alva Bradley and Marguerite Andrews Bradley.

In recognition of the family’s leadership, generosity and dedication to the School, the Bradley name has adorned the auditorium at Hathaway Brown since 1927.

Hathaway Brown turned again to the Bradley family for guidance after Manisha Ahuja Sethi ’94 and Ritu Ahuja ’97 expressed their intentions to enhance HB’s performing arts facilities with a $1 million gift. When the Bradley relatives learned of the gift, they expressed their pleasure in seeing the next generation of HB philanthropists step forward. They also supported the decision to change the name to The Ahuja Auditorium.

The Bradley family has left an indelible mark on HB’s history. The family will always treasure its longstanding relationship with HB and will be proud of the pivotal role it played in the formation of the Shaker Heights campus more than 80 years ago. At HB, the feeling is mutual.

On a recent visit to the School, Margot expressed her excitement in seeing the torch pass. She said her relatives share her belief that the next generation needs to support the causes and the institutions that are near and dear to their hearts in ways that will have a meaningful impact. They are also excited to see the auditorium restored and enhanced for the enjoyment of future students.

There’s no doubt that fond memories will continue to be made for the young women who convene in this special place. Hathaway Brown remains grateful to the Bradley family and will commemorate the significant role they have played in the life of the School with a historical marker placed inside The Ahuja Auditorium.

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PhilanthropyThe sisters’ gift demonstrates the appreciation these young women have for HB, an institution that they feel helped shape their lives. It also allows them to help other young women to find their own success.

Manisha, 33, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the Art Academy of Cincinnati. She and her husband, Neil, have a son, Rohan, who is currently enrolled in Hathaway Brown’s Early Childhood program, and a 1-year-old daughter, Raina. The family lives in Pepper Pike.

Ritu, 30, received her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and earned a master’s degree in strategic communications from Columbia University. She lives in New York City and is a member of the corporate marketing team for Macy’s department stores.

Both young women serve as their class correspondent and, in 2007, began their terms on the Board of Trustees. Manisha also serves on HB’s Alumnae Council and as room parent for Rohan’s class.

Head of School Bill Christ commented, “This is quite an extraordinary gift that Manisha and Ritu are making. To see the extent to which they both love HB as well as the family’s philanthropic tradition pass with such enthusiasm to the next generation is truly inspiring.” HB has a strong tradition of performing arts that will be strengthened by the gift. The auditorium is one of the most important facilities on our campus as well as the centerpiece for some of the most memorable events in a young girl’s experience at HB.

The Ahuja sisters liken the auditorium “to the kitchen in a person’s house, where everybody gathers and feels right at home.” To recognize this remarkable gift, the School has renamed the space The Ahuja Auditorium.

Part of the original School structure built in 1926, the auditorium has remained virtually unchanged over the years. Some of the planned renovations in the auditorium will be visible to the audience, such as restoration of the seating and a new stage curtain. However, many enhancements — including new motorized rigging, electrical and lighting upgrades, theatrical dimming and control systems and added safety requirements — will happen behind the scenes.

The restoration, which will keep the charm, character and classic features of the auditorium intact, began in the summer of 2008 and is scheduled to be complete in 2011.

In the relatively short period of time Manisha and Ritu have called themselves HB alumnae, they’ve made important, lasting and much-appreciated contributions to the students who share their alma mater.

47hb

report on philanthropy

Marguerite Bradley