By: Richard L. Smith
Oak Hill Academy has come a long way since its modest beginnings in 1981, when its "gym" consisted of little more than a basketball backboard nailed to the side of a building.
Today, the private pre-K-8 school boasts a 20-acre campus on Middletown-Lincroft Road, and its state-of-the-art "Dr. Robert H. Harris and Mary Ellen Harris Gymnasium" stands as a testament to the school's growth and the generosity of its longtime supporters.
According to information released by Oak Hill Academy, the recently upgraded gymnasium, featuring professional-grade athletic flooring, modern restrooms, enhanced ventilation, LED lighting, and vibrant banners, has become a central hub for the school's gym classes, afterschool activities, sports events, graduations, and special ceremonies.
The latest renovations were made possible through the ongoing support of Mary Ellen Harris and the Golden Dome Foundation, which she co-founded with her late husband, Dr. Robert H. Harris.
Their contributions to Oak Hill Academy over the decades have been instrumental in shaping the school's growth. The foundation has donated over $2 million to funding projects such as the Harris Science Plex, outdoor athletic facilities, security upgrades, and COVID-related health improvements.
"Oak Hill Academy is very close to my heart," said Harris. "It's been a joy to see yet another generation of smiling students in those same hallways. Supporting this school has been an honor and privilege."
Recently, students gathered in the gym to express gratitude to the Golden Dome Foundation and its trustees, including Judith Lolli, Col. Charles Grinnell, and Paul Petigrow, Esq.
The event also highlighted the contributions of Dr. Michael Cosulich, an Oak Hill graduate and local dermatologist, whose family helped fund the gym's new athletic flooring.
Head of School Joseph A. Pacelli, who has been with Oak Hill since its inception, praised the Harris family's enduring support.
"The generosity of Dr. Robert H. Harris and Mrs. Mary Ellen Harris through the Golden Dome Foundation has profoundly impacted the lives of past, present, and future Oak Hill students," Pacelli said. "Naming the gymnasium in their honor is a small token of our deep appreciation for their unwavering dedication."
The foundation's giving dates back to the 1990s, including funding for a pool building in 1995, outdoor basketball and tennis courts in 2016, and science and technology enhancements earlier this year.
In 2021, Oak Hill named its Lower School building the "Dr. Robert H. Harris Lower School Learning Center" in recognition of the couple's contributions.
As Oak Hill Academy continues to flourish, the legacy of the Harris family and the Golden Dome Foundation remains at the heart of its success, inspiring generations of students and staff to dream bigger and aim higher.