Thanks to the exceptional support of loyal alumni K. Thomas Elghanayan ’62 and Frederick Elghanayan ’66, Blair’s dynamic academic hub is newly co-named the Chiang-Elghanayan Center for Innovation and Collaboration. The brothers’ generous gift funds the remaining co-naming opportunity for the building and reflects the innovative spirit Tom and Fred have embraced throughout their successful entrepreneurial careers in real estate development, as well as their gratitude to the School that gave them their start.

“The generosity of the Elghanayan brothers and the Chiang family will profoundly impact generations of Blair students,” said Head of School Chris Fortunato. “Our entire community looks forward to the exciting opportunities, achievements and connections that will be built in the Chiang-Elghanayan Center now and in the future. We are deeply grateful to both families for their vision, support and love for Blair.”

Tom and Fred have fond memories of their Blair days, including living in East Hall, the dorm in whose footprint the Chiang-Elghanayan Center now stands. Rigorous academics, inspirational teachers, and the camaraderie of friends and teammates were important parts of both their Blair experiences, and Fred, who captained the soccer team as a senior, reflected that the lessons he learned through sports and being part of a team proved very helpful in his business career.

Throughout their nearly 50 years of partnership in the real estate industry, the Elghanayans have been builders and innovators. Today, Tom and Fred are chairman and president, respectively, of TF Cornerstone, the premier real estate acquisition, development and management company they founded in 2010. Through their work, they have established a reputation for quality, integrity and vision, and created communities in New York City and Washington, D.C., that foster new opportunities for all who live and work in them.

As part of a Blair legacy that was nurtured by their beloved parents and includes seven alumni, Tom and Fred are happy to see their family name on the Chiang-Elghanayan Center for Innovation and Collaboration. Their gift to co-name the home of Blair’s technology and fine arts departments embodies their hope that students will be inspired by the academic classes and myriad activities they experience within the building’s glass-walled classrooms and soaring spaces to become the next generations of innovators.

“I truly believe in innovation,” Tom said. “It is vital to our business and to the future of every aspect of modern society. I am pleased to support the facility where students develop their savvy in technology and creative fields, as these skills will always be important to Blair alumni as they live, work and better their communities worldwide.”

“I received so much from my education and experience at Blair,” Fred added. “I hope the Chiang-Elghanayan Center will always be a place that expands the viewpoints, possibilities and life experiences of Blair’s students and teachers.”