When the community came together on December 7 to inaugurate the brand new Robert R. Grimes, S.J. Music Studios at Fordham College at Lincoln Center, they were commemorating a dean emeritus who had left an enduring legacy during his two decades of leadership at the institution. Elizabeth A. Burns, a Fordham trustee fellow and FCLC ’83 graduate, passionately stated, “He is Fordham Lincoln Center.” She continued, “Bob, thank you for all you’ve done for this school.” (For a related account of the dedication ceremony, please refer.)

The Heartfelt Fundraising Behind the Studios

The drive to establish the five practice rooms, which were opened to students this year, was filled with sincere contributions. Many of these came from the members of Father Grimes’ former advisory board, such as Burns and members of his family. Fordham Trustee Kim B. Bepler, who attended the event, presented a Steinway piano for one of the practice rooms. The rooms themselves were named in honor of other donors, including Burns, as well as Margitta Rose, a FCLC ’87 graduate and a long-time benefactor of the college. She supported the project due to “my great admiration for Father Grimes” and their shared love of music.Music holds a special place in people’s hearts, as Maria del Pilar Ocasio-Douglas, FCRH ’88, and her husband Gary J. Douglas can attest. Music serves as a creative outlet for both of them and their son, James, a Fordham junior majoring in film. During the coronavirus pandemic, James taught himself piano. When informed about the project, she was delighted by the idea of “giving the students a place where they can play, not be heard, and truly immerse themselves in it.”

Successor Laura Auricchio’s Contributions

Former FCLC dean Laura Auricchio, Ph.D., who took over in 2019 and spearheaded the fundraising efforts for the music rooms, was also highly praised. Dedicated music practice rooms were seen as a necessity. Auricchio had the idea to name them after Father Grimes because “there were a lot of people … who felt that he deserved to have a significant space dedicated to him.” Now, she serves as the vice president of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.The naming was appropriate given Father Grimes’ music background. As an ethnomusicologist by training, he is a tenor soloist who has performed with the Fordham University Chorus, Bronx Arts Ensemble, and other organizations for decades.

Setting the Tone at Lincoln Center

Delia Peters, FCLC ’85 and the longtime chair of Father Grimes’ former advisory board, recalled how he set a friendly and happy atmosphere at the college. Part of this was through his personal connection with students. She said, “I liked his style of ‘deaning.’ I would walk with him down a hallway, and he would know every student’s name. And no matter what was needed, he somehow found the funds to make it happen.”In an interview, Father Grimes, a 1975 alumnus of Fordham College at Rose Hill, expressed his astonishment at Fordham College at Lincoln Center upon his arrival as a music professor. He began to envision the potential that could be achieved. When he became dean, he did everything in his power to “prompt and encourage” others, along with raising funds, to bring those possibilities to life.The outcomes were remarkable, including the creation of an initial set of music practice rooms, the Franny’s Space rehearsal space and Veronica Lally Kehoe Theatre, a faculty and student exchange program with the nearby Juilliard School, and the Fordham College at Lincoln Center Chamber Orchestra, among many other artistic initiatives.He said, “It’s quite an honor to be the namesake for the new music suite. And Fordham College Lincoln Center is very, very close to my heart. I loved my time there. And if I’ve left a little of my spirit there, I’m very happy about that.”Generous supporters of the Robert R. Grimes, S.J. Music Studios project include: Kay Yun, PAR, and Andre Neumann-Loreck, PAR; Maria del Pilar Ocasio-Douglas, FCRH ’88, and Gary J. Douglas; Margitta Rose, FCLC ’87; Mark Luis Villamar, GABELLI ’69, and his wife Esther Milstead; Elizabeth A. Burns, FCLC ’83; The Grimes Family; Patricia A. Dugan Perlmuth, FCLC ’79; and Delia L. Peters, FCLC ’85.