Wieland is CEO and Chairman of John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, the Southeast's leading builder of semi-custom homes. As the name implies, Mr. Wieland's buildings are more than just places to live; they are neighborhoods and communities. "It is not a sheer coincidence that John and Susan Wieland made this their gift of a lifetime," said Chief Advancement Officer Michael Keifer.
"[The dedication was the] culmination of the first phase of the residential master plan for the 35 dorms on campus," said Dean of Students Ben Lieber. He explained that the need for housing for the students displaced by the construction on the Freshman Quad gave the College the opportunity to build new dorms.
"The main focus of the residential master plan is to bring all first-years on the quad together in spacious living quarters, at the heart of campus, to forge a community," said Kiefer. "We concluded that we also needed to address upperclass needs, and King and Wieland have mostly singles in a gorgeous precinct."
Maura Klugman '05, whose job as a resident counselor in Wieland is to create a sense of community, said the hallways and everything else within Wieland are perfect. "It's just been a wonderful dorm to foster community automatically in a way I've never before seen in a dorm," she said.
Pauline Hall '04, who was on the committee for the renovations of the dorms last year, talked about the effort put into designing the new dorms, even in determining the size of the hallways. "If the hallways are too wide or too tall, they can be intimidating," she said. "If they are too small, they can be uncomfortable."
President Anthony Marx praised Wieland Hall, as well as King Hall and newly renovated North and South Dormitories, calling them beautiful facilities. "Facilities are a way for the College to do what it set out to do: bring students together academically and socially. What happens in those facilities is the purpose and spirit of them," said Marx. "John and Sue personify that spirit and dedication. It is an honor to the College to have the Wieland name joined in a great tradition of Pratts and Morrows."
According to Kiefer, the Wielands' gift helped to build most of the building and the couple was flattered by the offer to have the building named after them.
During the ceremony, the Wielands unveiled a wooden plaque, permanently displayed in the wall of the Wieland common room, which reads: "Wieland Hall: In honor of Susan and John Wieland '58 with deep appreciation for their generous support, Dedicated October 2004."
The Wielands have made a commitment to quality and community in their local area of Atlanta as well. Mr. Wieland is presently the Chair of the Advisory Council for the Emory University Center for Ethics. He has served on the Board of Directors of the High Museum of Art since 1988 and he is currently chairing its Building Committee for an expanded campus. He also serves on the board of Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership. Ms. Wieland's extensive community work has included board involvement with Families First, the Westminster Schools, the Atlanta Community Foundation and Habitat for Humanity-Atlanta.
"No student is entitled to the space in Wieland Hall, it is a gift," said Hall. "I hope the Amherst community will embrace that gift."