A building that once held the entire College back in 1881, Old Main continues as a hub of campus life. At the end of a class hour, a surge of students winds down the twisting staircase and scatters to all corners of campus, across the Geneva seal inlaid as a compass on the lobby floor. 

At the heart of the building sits the John White Chapel. A beautiful but antiquated space, it is Geneva’s primary performance venue that often sits unused due to its outdated features and lack of accessible entrances. 

Louise (Edgar) and Bob Copeland — known by many as Mrs. C and Dr. Bob — have seen Old Main through decades of campus life. Graduates of the class of 1966, the Copelands met through shared involvement in Geneva’s music program and as members of the Genevans choir. “We have fond memories of singing in Old Main all four years,” says Louise. 

The Copelands returned to their alma mater as faculty members in 1981. For over 30 years, Bob directed the Genevans, conducting over 600 concerts and leading at least 41 domestic and international tours. Louise directed Geneva’s traveling musical group New Song for 24 years, resurrected the women’s singing group under the name Grace Notes (formerly known as the McKee Lassies), and interacted with countless students through voice lessons, concerts, and the local high schools’ Henry Mancini Musical Theatre Awards.  

The Genevans rehearsed in Old Main since long before its chapel was named for John White. The Copelands remember the original wooden seats they sat on as students — seats that left more than one unlucky person with splinters. Students were required to attend chapel in Old Main twice a week, and services were held four days a week to accommodate everyone. At the end of lectures, students would flood out of the main door, backstage door, and even down the fire escapes. 

Particularly notable to the Copelands was the state of the chapel stage when they were students in the 1960s. 

“We didn’t so much sing on the stage at that point because there was a big cut through the stage,” they share. “It went straight down from the aisle on the right side to the back door. We called it the bowling alley.” 

This six-foot corridor through the stage was made in 1960 to adhere to fire safety protocols when the north stairwell was constructed. The 1985 renovation of Old Main once more made the space usable for performances through removing this gap and enlarging the stage. 

The upcoming renovations to Old Main are anticipated with joy by the Copelands. 

“Frankly, it’s something we’ve been praying for, for years and years,” says Bob. “From my perspective right now, the biggest thing is getting the elevator in there. Many elderly people and those with disabilities can't get into the chapel now.” A zero-clearance entrance to the building will be a welcome addition, as well as an elevator and accessible restrooms on every floor. 

“Old Main has stood the test of time all these years,” says Bob. “And while it’s creaky, it’s amazing. The structure was built back in 1880 and it’s still central to the College's operation and identity.” 

The Copelands’ impact on the College continues. Louise chairs the Geneva Women, an alumni group that sponsors the annual Broadway Revue held in the John White Chapel. Their daughter Kathryn Donaldson, an accomplished singer and conductor, has served as the director of Grace Notes since her mother’s retirement. 

Their legacy remains at the heart of Geneva’s music program. A hospitable welcome awaits them and all alumni, students, and friends through the restoration of our iconic Old Main. Bob and Louise will once more be able to sit together in the chapel seats where they spent so many years as students, faculty, and lifelong supporters of the College. 

By Erika Kauffman ‘20

This article was originally published in the Winter 2025 issue of the Geneva Magazine.