Quincy House (Harvard)
Encyclopedia
Quincy House is one of the twelve upperclass residential houses of Harvard University
, located on Plympton Street between Harvard Yard
and the Charles River
. Quincy House was named after Josiah Quincy III
(1772–1864), president of Harvard from 1829 to 1845. It is the second largest of the twelve undergraduate houses. Its residents, known as "penguins," live in the house during their sophomore through senior years. Beginning in the summer of 2012, part of Quincy House will undergo renovation as the first test project in a later college-wide renewal program.
Quincy House symbolizes the new Harvard, as the first House to be built after the original seven river Houses of the early 1930s under President Lowell. There are three buildings in which Quincy students are housed: Old Quincy, New Quincy, and DeWolfe St. housing. Old Quincy, a neo-Georgian building, originally called Mather Hall and part of Leverett House
until 1960, was constructed in 1929-30 with finely detailed suites, high ceilings, carved moldings and fireplaces. Until the construction of New Quincy necessitated their removal, the now open East Side was closed by a one-story range of squash courts. New Quincy is an eight-story high-rise that combines modern design and convenience with wonderful views of its more traditional neighborhood. It consists of a two- story commons wing along Mt. Auburn Street, a nine-story main residence unit with split level suites having splendid views, and the almost completely detached raised House Library, the placement of which adds a second interior court to the series of courtyards and gardens that are a distinctive part of the House. The 20 DeWolfe St. residence hall, a brick structure with a double mansard roof of lead-coated copper. The 10 and 20 DeWolfe St. residences are shared with Leverett House and Kirkland House
.http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=517507
Quincy House recently adopted the penguin as its mascot. Quincy's house colors are red, gold, and black.
Quincy House maintains an affiliation with Branford College
at Yale University
.
On Harvard Housing Day, Quincy House students storm the yard with their house flag and someone in a penguin suit. The 2011 theme for Quincy was "Quinception" inspired by the film Inception
.
. The Masters are actively involved in student life and can often be found dining with students and holding receptions in their penthouse in New Quincy. House events are coordinated by the Quincy House Committee, or Hoco. The committee operates separately from the Harvard Undergraduate Council
(UC), to organize student events and manage funding. The HoCo, as with the other student government organizations in the Houses, are funded by the UC.
There are several aspects of the house that make it unique from the other Harvard houses. Quincy Grille is a student-run grille that is popular among students. They serve the infamous Ronnie Burger and are open Wednesday through Saturday nights. Quincy house library is called the "Qube" which is in reference to its cube shape. The Qube has one of the best comic book collections in Harvard. The dining hall is unrestricted except to first-year students and on Thursday night for Community Dinner. Large glass walls surround the dining hall allowing for natural light and beautiful views of the house, Mt. Auburn Street, and sunsets. The dining hall interior is also unique as it has been said to have a "ski lodge" feel and it also features a large modern art mural. The Junior Common Room is a popular location for homework and gatherings; Quincy students are the only ones to have swipe access however. The lobby also features pool and ping-pong tables which add to the social nature of the house. The House also has a pottery studio, a dance studio, and a gym.
Quincy House is called "The People's House" because it is a popular place for students to eat and have student groups meet due to its central location.
, Rob Cohen
, Nelson Denis, Lou Dobbs
, Douglas Feith
, Jamie Gorelick
, Tom Ridge
, Ron Kind
, Peter Sagal
, Suzanne Malveaux
, Anthony Brown
, Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh
, and Robert Kirshner
.
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, located on Plympton Street between Harvard Yard
Harvard Yard
Harvard Yard is a grassy area of about , adjacent to Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that constitutes the oldest part and the center of the campus of Harvard University...
and the Charles River
Charles River
The Charles River is an long river that flows in an overall northeasterly direction in eastern Massachusetts, USA. From its source in Hopkinton, the river travels through 22 cities and towns until reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Boston...
. Quincy House was named after Josiah Quincy III
Josiah Quincy III
Josiah Quincy III was a U.S. educator and political figure. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives , Mayor of Boston , and President of Harvard University...
(1772–1864), president of Harvard from 1829 to 1845. It is the second largest of the twelve undergraduate houses. Its residents, known as "penguins," live in the house during their sophomore through senior years. Beginning in the summer of 2012, part of Quincy House will undergo renovation as the first test project in a later college-wide renewal program.
History
Named for Josiah Quincy III (1772-1864), President of Harvard from 1829 to 1845, and also a mayor of Boston, congressman, judge, businessman, and author, Quincy House officially opened in September 1959. New Quincy, a restrained and unpretentious example of modern architecture, was designed by the distinguished Boston firm of Shepley,Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbott.Quincy House symbolizes the new Harvard, as the first House to be built after the original seven river Houses of the early 1930s under President Lowell. There are three buildings in which Quincy students are housed: Old Quincy, New Quincy, and DeWolfe St. housing. Old Quincy, a neo-Georgian building, originally called Mather Hall and part of Leverett House
Leverett House
Leverett House is the largest of twelve residence houses for upperclass undergraduates at Harvard University...
until 1960, was constructed in 1929-30 with finely detailed suites, high ceilings, carved moldings and fireplaces. Until the construction of New Quincy necessitated their removal, the now open East Side was closed by a one-story range of squash courts. New Quincy is an eight-story high-rise that combines modern design and convenience with wonderful views of its more traditional neighborhood. It consists of a two- story commons wing along Mt. Auburn Street, a nine-story main residence unit with split level suites having splendid views, and the almost completely detached raised House Library, the placement of which adds a second interior court to the series of courtyards and gardens that are a distinctive part of the House. The 20 DeWolfe St. residence hall, a brick structure with a double mansard roof of lead-coated copper. The 10 and 20 DeWolfe St. residences are shared with Leverett House and Kirkland House
Kirkland House
Kirkland House is one of the 12 undergraduate houses at Harvard University, located near the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was named after John Thornton Kirkland, president of Harvard University from 1810 to 1828. Some of the buildings were built in 1914 but construction was not...
.http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=517507
Quincy House recently adopted the penguin as its mascot. Quincy's house colors are red, gold, and black.
Quincy House maintains an affiliation with Branford College
Branford College
Branford College is the oldest of the 12 residential colleges at Yale University.-The Founding of Branford:Branford College was founded in 1933 by partitioning the Memorial Quadrangle into two parts: Saybrook and Branford...
at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
.
House Traditions
At the beginning of every year, Quincy House hosts a field day in which second, third, and fourth year students compete against each other. Additionally, Quincy Assassins is an annual event in which students are assigned another house member to assassinate. Players assassinate this person with a Nerf gun. Another newly implemented tradition is the talent show.On Harvard Housing Day, Quincy House students storm the yard with their house flag and someone in a penguin suit. The 2011 theme for Quincy was "Quinception" inspired by the film Inception
Inception
Inception: The Subconscious Jams 1994-1995 is a compilation of unreleased tracks by the band Download.-Track listing:# "Primitive Tekno Jam" – 3:23# "Bee Sting Sickness" – 8:04# "Weed Acid Techno" – 8:19...
.
House Life
Quincy House Masters are Lee and Deborah Gehrke. Lee is the Hermann von Helmholtz Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at MIT, and Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Harvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
. The Masters are actively involved in student life and can often be found dining with students and holding receptions in their penthouse in New Quincy. House events are coordinated by the Quincy House Committee, or Hoco. The committee operates separately from the Harvard Undergraduate Council
Harvard Undergraduate Council
The Harvard Undergraduate Council, colloquially known as "the UC", is the representative student government of Harvard College. The Council was established in 1982 by a vote of the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences and student referendum...
(UC), to organize student events and manage funding. The HoCo, as with the other student government organizations in the Houses, are funded by the UC.
There are several aspects of the house that make it unique from the other Harvard houses. Quincy Grille is a student-run grille that is popular among students. They serve the infamous Ronnie Burger and are open Wednesday through Saturday nights. Quincy house library is called the "Qube" which is in reference to its cube shape. The Qube has one of the best comic book collections in Harvard. The dining hall is unrestricted except to first-year students and on Thursday night for Community Dinner. Large glass walls surround the dining hall allowing for natural light and beautiful views of the house, Mt. Auburn Street, and sunsets. The dining hall interior is also unique as it has been said to have a "ski lodge" feel and it also features a large modern art mural. The Junior Common Room is a popular location for homework and gatherings; Quincy students are the only ones to have swipe access however. The lobby also features pool and ping-pong tables which add to the social nature of the house. The House also has a pottery studio, a dance studio, and a gym.
Quincy House is called "The People's House" because it is a popular place for students to eat and have student groups meet due to its central location.
Famous Alumni
Famous Quincy alumni include Phil BredesenPhil Bredesen
Philip Norman "Phil" Bredesen Jr. was the 48th Governor of Tennessee, serving from 2003 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected Governor in 2002, and was re-elected in 2006. He previously served as the fourth mayor of Nashville and Davidson County from 1991 to...
, Rob Cohen
Rob Cohen
Robert "Rob" Cohen is an American film director, producer and writer.-Early life:Cohen was born in Cornwall, New York. He was raised and spent his childhood in the Town of Newburgh and graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1967...
, Nelson Denis, Lou Dobbs
Lou Dobbs
Louis Carl "Lou" Dobbs is an American journalist, radio host, television host on the Fox Business Network, and author. He anchored CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight until November 2009 when he announced on the air that he would leave the 24-hour cable news television network.He was born in Texas and lived...
, Douglas Feith
Douglas Feith
Douglas J. Feith served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy for United States President George W. Bush from July 2001 until August 2005. His official responsibilities included the formulation of defense planning guidance and forces policy, United States Department of Defense relations...
, Jamie Gorelick
Jamie Gorelick
Jamie S. Gorelick is an American attorney, presently representing BP. She was Deputy Attorney General of the United States during the Clinton administration...
, Tom Ridge
Tom Ridge
Thomas Joseph "Tom" Ridge is an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives , the 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania , Assistant to the President for Homeland Security , and the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security...
, Ron Kind
Ron Kind
Ronald James "Ron" Kind is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district is located in the western portion of the state and is anchored by La Crosse and Eau Claire and Platteville....
, Peter Sagal
Peter Sagal
Peter Sagal is an American playwright, screenwriter, actor, and host of the National Public Radio game show Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He is originally from Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, although he currently resides in Oak Park, Illinois. Sagal attended Harvard University in Cambridge,...
, Suzanne Malveaux
Suzanne Malveaux
Suzanne M. Malveaux , is an American television news reporter.She is currently the anchor of CNN Newsroom 11am to 1pm. Before that she was White House correspondent for CNN and primary substitute host on CNNs "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer"...
, Anthony Brown
Anthony G. Brown
Anthony G. Brown is a Democratic Party politician from the State of Maryland and is the current Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. He was elected as Maryland’s eighth Lieutenant Governor in 2006 on a ticket with Governor Martin O'Malley. Both were reelected in 2010. He is the second African...
, Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh
Tony Hsieh
Tony Hsieh is the CEO of online shoe and clothing shop Zappos.com. Prior to joining Zappos, Hsieh co-founded and sold the internet advertising network LinkExchange to Microsoft in 1999 for $265 million.-Early life:...
, and Robert Kirshner
Robert Kirshner
Robert Kirshner is the Clowes Professor of Science in the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics at Harvard University. Kirshner has worked in several areas of astronomy including the physics of supernovae, supernova remnants, the Large-scale structure of the cosmos, and the use of Supernovae...
.