The day after Washington University’s 145th Commencement, retired securities lawyer and financier Nathan Dardick addressed a crowd of his family and friends, University officials and students, declaring his years as a WUSTL undergraduate the “four best consecutive years of (his) life.”
While a student, the 1971 graduate spent much of his time at the site where he was speaking — the University’s South 40 residential area of the Hilltop Campus.
In the late 1960s, Dardick was a resident, dorm president and resident adviser of Eliot Hall, a South 40 high-rise that was demolished in 2003. On May 20, he revisited his favorite spot for the dedication of the Nathan Dardick House, a new, impressive residence hall designed mostly for first-year students.
“Nate Dardick is a loyal alumnus, family man and friend. Washington University has been an important part
of his life, and he has always remembered his beginnings here,” Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said.
“We are most grateful for his support of the residential life program and his generous gift to Washington University. Knowing that Nate’s roots started on this site, which is now home to Dardick House, he has truly come full circle in his Washington University story.”
The dedication ceremony and celebration came a day after the youngest of Dardick’s four children, Justin, followed in his father’s footsteps, graduating from the College of Arts & Sciences. Nathan Dardick made his gift to name Dardick House in December 2003, but out of respect for his son, chose to remain anonymous until his graduation.
“It’s thrilling to know that Nate Dardick had such a wonderful experience here that he has chosen to make a significant contribution for future students,” said James E. McLeod, vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. “Our students’ living experiences are critical to their academic success, and we are very grateful to Nate for recognizing this need and for his great generosity.”
Nathan Dardick House is located at the intersection of Big Bend Boulevard and Shepley Drive. Along with Nemerov House, it makes up the Wayman Crow Residential College.
Built in 2004, it is a state-of-the-art facility. As with all residential colleges on the South 40, it promotes the kind of learning and personal development freshmen need to adapt to college life. It is designed to foster a strong sense of community and relationships with faculty outside the classroom, while also offering new traditions unique to each residential cluster.
In addition, the recently completed Habif Health & Wellness Center is located on the garden level.
After graduating from Washington University in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Dardick entered law school at the University of Chicago. Heading up his own law firm, Dardick specialized in corporate, banking and securities law and commercial litigation. He retired from law in 1996 to operate a hedge fund and pursue other investment opportunities.
As an active alumnus, Dardick devotes time to the University’s Chicago Regional Cabinet and to the executive committee of the Parents Council.
He and his wife, Joann, also are active volunteers in their communities, which include the Chicago area and Captiva Island, Fla.