A Connecticut prep school is building a health and wellness center.
The Frederick Gunn School, in Washington, said it has started construction on what will be known as the Thomas S. Perakos Family Cares Health and Wellness Center.
The project aims to affirm Gunn’s “decade-long standing as a pioneer in boarding school wellness, physically and philosophically placing student well-being at the heart of the campus,” according to the school
The health and wellness center is slated to open in the fall and it aims to advance Gunn’s “leadership by integrating health services, nutrition, and counseling into a single, high-performance hub,” according to the school.
“The Campaign for The Frederick Gunn School is not just transforming our campus; it is elevating the very standard of care and experience we provide our students,” said Dr. Emily Raudenbush Gum, Bretter Family Head of School, in a statement.
“By uniting these essential services in a single, central hub, we are advancing our commitment to whole-person wellness and solidifying an unprecedented prioritization of well-being for our student body. Thomas Perakos ’69 has once again stepped up to lead our community by example,” Raudenbush Gum said. “Coming off his inspiring message to our 2025 graduates, this gift further solidifies his incredible legacy and ensures that the excellence he championed in our arts program now extends to the health and wellness of every student on campus.”
The new center will have more than 6,000 square feet of space, and will feature “a glass-filled wellness lobby designed to foster natural interactions between students and student life leaders,” according to the school. It will “meet infirmary-level standards,” which is a first for the school, and have counseling suites “designed for tranquility and privacy, all supporting the school’s mission to foster lifelong well-being.”
“I am proud to support a project that brings student well-being to the forefront of campus life,” said Perakos, in the statement. “This center advances Gunn’s leadership in wellness by providing a facility built to the highest standards, where medical care, counseling, and daily nutrition are seamlessly accessible.”
The Perakos Family Cares Foundation gift follows the foundation’s pioneer grant to Broadway Cares, which “focuses exclusively on funding for health care, insurance assistance, and mental health support for the Broadway community.”
The school noted that Perakos is a “multiple Tony and Olivier Award-winning producer and philanthropist whose career has spanned decades of excellence in the entertainment industry, from his early days as a standout student-performer on the Gunn stage to his recent success producing Broadway hits like Sunset Blvd and The Band’s Visit.” He has an upcoming production of Sinatra — The Musical, which opens this month in London’s West End at the Aldwych Theater, prior to its upcoming run on Broadway, according to the school.
The school also noted Perakos is a steadfast “force for good” for the Gunn community, gave the 175th Commencement Address for the Class of 2025, made a previous gift of the 32,000-square-foot Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center, which “has already become a vital hub for student talent and community gathering.”
“Much like his work in the theater, which celebrates the power of human connection and resilience, this new commitment ensures that students have the medical, nutritional, and emotional support systems necessary to thrive and ensures that Gunn will remain a thought leader in the boarding school community,” according to the school.
“By creating a space that encourages natural interactions between students and mentors, we are helping to strengthen a community where every student has the support they need to thrive. Gunn gave me the confidence to pursue my own path, and it remains a defining part of who I am to this day. Please always remember to keep Gunn close to your hearts — I have, and I will continue to do so,” Perakos said.
The school was founded in 1850 in Washington, Connecticut by Frederick Gunn.