Cedar Crest College has received a major gift from Hank Narrow — formerly of Allentown — in memory of his late wife, Jill Stewart Narrow, who graduated in 1970 and passed away in 2018. The impactful gift will be utilized to upgrade and maintain a historic campus building which will be renamed “The Narrows,” with the full name “The Narrows Communications and Humanities Center.”
Used for communications and humanities programs, the building was originally named “Hillside House” when erected in 1916 and later changed to “Hartzel Hall.” “The Narrows” will undergo significant transformation into a state-of-the-art environment that will be beneficial to students in communications and the humanities. The building also houses offices and classrooms used by faculty and students in English, communication, history, political science, and Spanish.
Jill Stewart Narrow had a successful 44-year career in public relations, marketing, advertising, sales, and writing. Her media included radio, television, internet, magazines, and internal and external corporate communications. At Cedar Crest, she majored in English and sociology. She and her husband were married for almost 45 years.
Jill wrote for The Crestiad, sang in the choir, and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honor Society. After graduation, she tutored and mentored Cedar Crest students.
She was empowered by her Cedar Crest education and the lifelong friends she made at the College. Jill was passionate about the college’s mission of educating women. Jill was able to reach the highest levels professionally and enjoy a successful career in a male-dominated industry, an accomplishment she credited to Cedar Crest for making possible.
Cedar Crest President Elizabeth Meade stated: “Mr. Narrow’s generous memorial gift will provide resources to renovate the space and provide a lasting income source for further needs. This transformational contribution to a core area of our mission is affirmation of Cedar Crest’s commitment to the longstanding impact the liberal arts have on our students and our community.”
Mr. Narrow stated: “This gift creates a legacy for Jill and her name will live in perpetuity. More important, however, are the benefits to inspire students’ success in their educational and professional pursuits. Further, the planned state-of-the art center will enhance Cedar Crest’s prominence in the fields of communications and the humanities.”
The Jill Stewart Narrow Endowed Scholarship for Communications was established by Mr. Narrow shortly after his wife passed away. The scholarship provides a continual source of financial support awarded annually to a qualified student studying in the field of communications.
Hartzel Hall was named to honor James M. Hartzell, a long-time trustee and the second major donor to Cedar Crest College. As part of the renovations and to honor the legacy of Mr. Hartzell, the entrance to the building will be named Hartzel Lobby.