Farkas Hall

Posted by on Apr 2, 2012

From 2005 to 2007, Farkas Hall, previously known has New College Theatre, was being renovated.  The six-story complex was originally built in 1888.  Despite the modern updates to the interior, the building maintains its original façade and entryway.  The theater is now a vibrant rehearsal, performance and learning space for undergraduates at Harvard.  The 270-seat theater contains a moveable stage and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.  Furthermore, there are classrooms, a dance studio and offices for student groups.  The Hasty Pudding Lobby displays the club’s pivotal role at Harvard through plaques, posters and photographs.

The space has been both refreshed but preserved, “and that is wonderful,” says Andrew Farkas, who served as the Hasty Pudding Club president for two years. “This is the Hasty Pudding’s historic home.”

Andrew Farkas’ gift to the theater was in honor of his father, Robin Farkas, and to show appreciation for Harvard College and the Hasty Pudding Club.  In regards to his father, Andrew said, “He has been my father, my mentor, my best friend, and my role model, and he talked me into choosing Harvard.”

Andrew Farkas currently serves as CEO of Island Capital Group and C-III Capital Partners.  He is co-leading the 30th Reunion Class Gift Committee.

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Andrew Farkas Interview with The Harvard Crimson

Posted by on Feb 10, 2012

Reina Gattuso, a reporter for The Harvard Crimson, recently sat down with Andrew Farkas to discuss the new Farkas Hall.  After a recent donation to Harvard University, the New College Theater is being renamed Farkas Hall.  He originally suggested the theater be renamed The Farkatorium, but the University decided against it.

Andrew Farkas graduated from Harvard University in 1982 and is now CEO of Island Capital Group and C-III Capital Partners.  As an undergraduate, he served as president of the Hasty Pudding Club, which was founded in 1770 and is the oldest college social club in the United States.  The Club is also the third-oldest theatrical organization in the world and five U.S. presidents were members.

While he was the undergraduate president of the Pudding, it was in serious financial trouble.  To raise money and save the Club, he hosted a gala.  Andrew Farkas recounts, “I got the Copley Plaza Hotel to give me 900 bottles of champagne for a very, very cheap price. Then I sold tickets, basically door-to-door, for a gala in honor of the Hasty Pudding.”  The gala brought in about $35,000, which covered the Club’s budget for a whole year.

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