The following is a news release from Star Island Corporation
ISLES OF SHOALS, RYE, NH—An experienced educator and former Stanford University senior administrator is the first Chief Executive Officer of the Star Island Corporation (SIC).
Victoria Hardy, of Lowell, Mass., is the new head of the non-profit religious and educational organization operating summer conferences at the enchanting Oceanic Hotel & Conference Center at Star Island, one of the historic Isles of Shoals.
Hardy will lead the historic and serene island destination to a new productive platform in 2008 following a short 2007 season. Hardy most recently served as a professor and academic department head of design and facilities at the Boston-based Wentworth Institute of Technology where she worked since 2003. “The opportunity to work with the Star Island Corporation is one that I delightfully embrace,” said Hardy. “It is a tranquil and historic island destination attracting a diverse audience and reflecting the best of New England.”
Star Island is one of only a handful of places in the region where groups, individuals and families can come together for a quintessential New England getaway, Hardy said. Star Island is known for its traditional environment. Offering a rare glimpse at the grand hotel era when Star Island—home to the extraordinary Oceanic Hotel—attracted such notable artists and writers as Childe Hassam and Nathaniel Hawthorne, the educational and religious conference center will reopen for a full season in mid-June.
“We are excited to welcome new visitors and long-time conference guests to the Oceanic Hotel and grounds for an engaging family or corporate retreat, a religious or educational conference or to simply reflect on the days gone by in an open and safe environment,” she said.
Prior to her work in Boston, Hardy, 61, was the primary facility management faculty at Ferris State University in Michigan for ten years. Before joining Ferris State, Hardy spent twenty years managing programs and facilities at Stanford University, in the Meadowlands in New Jersey, and in Detroit, in addition to consulting in the arts and entertainment industry. She was named the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Distinguished Member of the Year for 2005, received the Boston IFMA Chapter Education and Professional Development Award in 2005, and was selected in 2001 as the IFMA Distinguished Educator. Hardy completed her term responsibilities at the Wentworth Institute and joined Star Island Corporation full time March 10 after her appointment by the board of directors.
“Hardy brings a wealth of experience and demonstrated business expertise to the organization,” said Brad Greeley, president of the SIC Board of Trustees. “She also brings with it personal familiarity with diversity and a spirit and energy which match her experience and expertise. We are fortunate to have Victoria Hardy to guide our organization.”
Hardy holds a Bachelor’s of Science, a Master’s Degree in Management, and is a graduate of the Stanford Management Development Program. She is also a certified facility manager both in the United States and Japan.
There are many opportunities to visit Star Island, Hardy said. For example, last year the island hosted more than 100 people on personal overnight retreats. In addition, families or individuals may sign-up for one of the many conferences this summer season including the Natural History Conference, the International Affairs Conference, Elderhostel in September or one of the many faith-based meetings.
Others with private boats in Gosport Harbor are welcome to tie up a dinghy to the dock for a day visit. In addition, other boat companies offer day or evening island cruises to Star Island aboard the Uncle Oscar in Rye or the Newburyport-based Captain’s Lady. For those interested in visiting the island as an overnight guest in 2008 with a conference group, as a family or an individual, inquiries may be made via email by contacting office@starisland.org.
The non-profit Star Island Corporation has owned and operated Star Island for religious, educational, and kindred purposes since 1916, providing affordable individual and family retreat. While Star Island is founded on the liberal spiritual ideals of Unitarian-Universalism and the United Church of Christ, people of many denominations and faiths (including none) attend conferences regularly. Each of the Star Island conferences is self-administered by a dedicated group of volunteers and the island is staffed in the summer season by over one hundred young people, affectionately known as Pelicans. The organization is headquartered year-round from its offices in Portsmouth.
For more information about Star Island conferences, events or fundraising, log on to its official website at www.starisland.org or call the Star Island office at (603) 430-6272.
Join New England’s best known barn dance bands and callers Dudley and Jacqueline Laufman for an evening of dance at All Souls Unitarian to benefit Star Island Corporation!
Terrific news on an exciting project!
(Photo: Lori Duff) “Tradition is king on Star Island, and a day trip there offers a peek into a time when sprawling wooden hotels were common vacation spots, the staff put on weekly variety shows (think Dirty Dancing – the original) and guests played Bocce ball on the grass. Day visitors can lunch with conference attendees who fill the hotel, take a tour of the 46-acre island with a pelican or retreat to the solitude of the rocks on the back of the island, looking out to the open ocean.”
(Photo: Karen Dandurant) “Some are drawn back to the island for its serene setting and old-time feel encouraged by the presence of historic buildings and the absence of modern-day appliances. One of Star Island’s most prominent features is the chapel, a simple stone meetinghouse built in 1800 on the highest point of land. Others are attracted to the companionship of friends and family who return each year, and the time-honored lobster dinners and weekly softball games featuring a cemetery in left field and a newly constructed green monster.”