College of ACESPhilip ’68 and Juanita ’70 Francis of Paradise Valley, Arizona, have many stories to share about days spent in Bevier Hall during their undergraduate education. Nita majored in home economics and had many classes in the building, which she recalls as a comfortable place to be. Philip took a home economics class for non-majors and recalls specific lessons and mischief that occurred during his course. The couple has many fond memories of the space that has changed very little since they left campus. They have pledged $1.2 million for the renovation of various facilities in Bevier Hall and the establishment of the Philip L. and Juanita Fitzer Francis Endowed Fellowship in Health and Wellness.
"It is a privilege to have the capacity to give this gift," said Nita. "Public education is important to us and private funding is necessary to fund public education."
The gift will assist in renovating various hospitality management facilities, including the second floor Spice Box and hallways leading to the facilities, the second floor Quantity Foods Kitchen, and meeting and dining rooms on the third floor. During a recent visit to campus, Phil and Nita toured the Bevier Hall facilities. Nita noted, "Bevier Hall has been well maintained, but things wear out after 50 years."
Funds were also used to finish renovations in Bevier Café. The first stage of renovations in this space, completed in summer 2006, were made possible through the support of several generous donors. "We deeply appreciate the generosity of all the donors that have contributed to the updates and renovations of the quantity foods facilities," said Faye Dong, professor and head of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. "We are proud of the new appearance of the Bevier Café and are anxiously anticipating the new look and functionality of the Spice Box, kitchen, and dining rooms that will be made possible with the very generous contribution from the Francis family."
The Spice Box, when completed in September 2007, will be versatile for use as a meeting space, classroom, and a fine dining facility with technology upgrades that include a permanent sound system, projector and screen, and a movable computer station. Chairs and tables that have been purchased by sponsors will remain in the room, which will continue to be known as the Spice Box.
"Hospitality management students, through many creative efforts, have made the Spice Box look nice for their fine dining events, but it is in need of numerous updates and repairs," said Jill Craft, hospitality management teaching associate. "The planned design will make the appearance of the room match the quality of the cuisine and service presented at a fine dining meal."
Renovation of the kitchen and meeting rooms will occur over the next two years. Planned changes to the kitchen include updating the walls, replacing the ceiling, modernizing the exhaust system and installing new cooling and freezing units. Many current features in the meeting rooms will be refurbished and technology will be added to these two rooms to make them more versatile for dining and for education meetings or courses.
The Francis’ gift will also provide funding to support an endowed graduate fellowship in health and wellness. The first Philip L. and Juanita Fitzer Francis Fellowship is being awarded to Jenna Cramer—a 2007 human nutrition graduate originally from Lacrosse, Wisconsin—who will begin work toward her master’s degree with Professor Elizabeth Jeffery in the fall.
Nita would like to continue working with the department and other alumni to improve the Bevier Hall food labs, which she feels need major work to improve the learning environment. "Although we were unable to include renovations to the food labs in our gift, we would like to encourage other alumni and friends to join together in efforts to renovate these very important science labs," said Nita.
Philip is chairman and CEO of PetSmart, a leading worldwide operator of pet food, supplies, and services superstores. Nita is president of the F2 Family Foundation, a private foundation focused on improving health care and education. She is a registered nurse and project manager of the national Medical Interpreter Project for Children’s Hospitals at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, funded by Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. Phil and Nita are both involved in The Valley of the Sun United Way, as well as other community service organizations and activities.
Phil and Nita have four children, Sarah Walsh, Laura Jacobs, Robert and Catherine; and five grandchildren, Josh, Lily and Lucy Jacobs and Charlie and Henry Walsh.
