Founding Classes Classroom

Today’s AUP looks very different from the ACP of the first years, so fondly remembered by all – and it continues to grow and adapt. Over the past four years, we have consolidated the campus and carefully renovated all our buildings. In 2017, we purchased an eight-story building at 69, quai d’Orsay, directly behind our Combes building. A stunning glass atrium will connect the two buildings to form the Student Life and Learning Center. When we resume operations in Spring Semester 2019, AUP will be firmly re-established on the Quai d’Orsay, in its own home in the center of Paris and in the 7ème arrondissement, just steps away from its birthplace in the American Church.

The 69, Quai d’Orsay project marks just how far we’ve come, from rented classroom space in the American Church, to our own beautiful building with sweeping views over the Seine, rooftops of Paris and the Grand Palais. 

A Special Tribute to the Founding Classes

We invite you to join other members of the Founding Classes to return to the Quai d’Orsay to honor Lloyd and Marie DeLamater and the four people instrumental in helping them found the American College in Paris: Col. Karl Cate, Ray Flowers, Walter Brennan, and shortly thereafter, Carol Maddison. The idea is to fund a classroom on the seventh floor of AUP’s new building at 69, quai d’Orsay, that will be known as the Founding Classes Classroom; from this high floor you will be able to view the glass atrium, the vertical garden and the Combes building. The classroom will also honor the early trustees who joined Col. Cate in confirming the support of the American community in Paris, the students who came to the new school, and the faculty who taught there.

The goal for this project is to raise 200,000 euros. Over one-third of that amount has been secured to date, with generous commitments from early leaders of the project, whose names are listed below. Their hope is that many members of the Founding Classes will join them in supporting the Founding Classes Classroom. When the building is officially dedicated in 2019, the room will include a prominent plaque dedicated to early AUP leaders and listing the names of all supporters.

Please consider a commitment to the Founding Classes Classroom. Your gift may be made over a period of years to facilitate your participation.

If you have questions about the Founding Classes Classroom or AUP today, please contact Tori Griffiths at vgriffithsaup.edu.

This new space will be open to our students and faculty in the first half of the Spring Semester in 2019. To mark this significant moment in the history of AUP, we will hold a public celebration in our beautiful Student Learning Center overlooking the Seine – more details forthcoming. Thank you for considering a commitment to fund a special location in AUP’s elegant new flagship on the Seine. We look forward to hearing from you.