What DC university has unfettered access to pastoral landscapes? None, beyond American. According to alumni Neil Kerwin, SPA/BA ’71; Bronté Burleigh-Jones, Kogod/BS ’91, Kogod/MBA ’93; and Michael Scher, SOC/BA ’08, WCL/JD ’13, Kogod/MS ’19—architects of the 18-month Airlie Vision and Action Plan—the historic Virginia estate is a key asset “differentiat[ing] American University from its competitors.”
Alumni Neil Kerwin, Bronté Burleigh-Jones, and Michael Scher pose with fresh produce, all Airlie CSA offerings.
“There’s endless opportunity rooted in Airlie,” said Burleigh-Jones. “The first time I walked on the property in 2022 as part of my review of the university’s assets, I was immediately struck by its special nature and what an incredible opportunity we had in it for our community of Eagles.”
Harnessing legacy, advancing sustainability
While a donation of rural land, valued at an estimated $18.8 million, to an urban university may appear random at first glance, the Airlie Board’s decision to entrust AU with the estate was no accident. Given the university’s focus on thought leadership, sustainability, and changemaking, the two entities’ missions meshed naturally. Today, thanks to the trailblazing leadership of Kerwin, Burleigh-Jones, and Scher, Eagles of all kinds can benefit from the bounty Airlie has to offer. To foster cross-campus connections, the trio of alumni leaders established a working group called the Airlie Visioning Team, consisting of representatives from each school, as well as faculty and staff stakeholders. This group convened regularly with the aim of bringing out the best in Airlie for years to come.
“The pandemic set back our progress,” said Kerwin. “But the approach taken by our Visioning Team to thoughtfully weave Airlie into the DNA of AU and measure our results is impressive. The Airlie Foundation Board, which I chair, is excited for the future of Airlie and AU because of the amazing cross-campus partnerships developing under this plan.”
Complete with a working farm, organic garden, apiary, conference center, hotel, and more, Airlie is like the region’s ultimate charcuterie board, overflowing with flavor and choice. Where should a sampler start? Visitors can enjoy everything from farm-to-table dining sessions and splendid hotel stays (Did someone say alumni discount?) to invigorating conferences and educational retreats.
There’s endless opportunity rooted in Airlie. The first time I walked on the property in 2022 as part of my review of the university’s assets, I was immediately struck by its special nature and what an incredible opportunity we had in it for our community of Eagles.
In many ways, the university seeks to preserve Airlie’s Georgian-Revival style and advance its scholarly tradition—the latter of which enticed Martin Luther King, Jr. and various senators to wander on site for meetings of the mind. It’s no coincidence, then, that the vision for Earth Day grew from this pastoral dreamscape in 1969. It is in this spirit that the university plans to advance sustainability and steward all 300-plus of Airlie’s acres for the greater community good.
“Working with the team at Airlie and my AU colleagues on implementing our plan has been one of the top experiences and privileges of my career at AU,” Scher said. “I know that continued partnership between our Airlie Visioning Team, campus stakeholders, and the wonderful staff at Airlie will deliver results that everyone can be proud of.”
A smashing debut for the Airlie CSA program
From up high, crop rows resemble colorful threads, pulled taut across the earthen fabric of Airlie’s Berkshire Farm. These 20 acres—the fruit-and-vegetable patch of a 90-acre farm operation—are a testament to the power of sustainable agriculture. They also represent a unique opportunity open to members of the American University community: Eagles can now reap the benefits of joining Airlie and AU’s community-supported agriculture (CSA) program.
Participating in CSA is a means of connecting oneself directly to nutritious food, as well as the land and hands that cultivate it. Think of signing up like securing a subscription: You pay into the startup of the program; establish yourself as a community partner, invested in the farm’s operation; then earn fresh fruits and vegetables each week in return. What’s more, you help advance community health by boosting people’s access to raw produce and promoting low-carbon, responsible agriculture.
Eagles and neighbors alike welcomed the CSA program, which launched this past summer, with open arms. Fifty subscribers signed on to help kickstart the project—a number that has since doubled for the fall cycle. What, then, is the consumers’ payoff? Weekly stocked treasure boxes, loaded with everything from berries and squash to broccoli and herbs. That’s fresh, locally grown goods for only $36 weekly. Some parents even opted to gift boxes to current students and their roommates. A point person simply needs to claim their food each Wednesday afternoon on the university Quad, in line with AU Farmers’ Market. And while there is a no-refund policy, leftover boxes become direct donations to AU’s student food pantry, The Market.
Although the deadline for joining the fall CSA has passed, there are still ways to show your support for this new ecofriendly endeavor. Donations can be made to supply additional CSA shares to students through The Market, and you can help the university reach its spring subscriber goal of 200 by spreading the word about the program. More ways to engage with Airlie are already cooking. (Keep your eyes peeled for student-oriented activities and transportation, class and internship offerings, etc.) In the meantime, extend thanks to the alumni leaders and stakeholders steering this ship, demonstrating just how many benefits can be gleaned from a major gift. With a storied legacy like Airlie’s, it’s clear each season will only bring more and more to reap.
