A World of Connections: Flags in the Robinson Center Celebrate Global Ties
Have you ever walked through the Robinson Center lobby and wondered about the significance of the flags? Each one celebrates the global connections of the Heathwood Hall community. With 63 flags now proudly displayed, the collection represents a rich tapestry of experiences, friendships, and international ties that make the school unique.
Many of the flags honor countries that students have visited through Heathwood’s signature Winterim program.
Winterim trips extend the Heathwood classroom to the entire world. Many of the flags hanging in the Robinson Center represent countries Heathwood students have had opportunities to visit through the Winterim program in the Upper School,” said Stan Wood, Director of PEAK/Winterim.
In addition, several flags recognize visiting scholars, exchange students, and faculty or staff members with meaningful connections to countries around the globe.
Highlighting the Connections:
Each flag in the display hangs for one or more of three reasons:
- Student Travel: Heathwood students have visited the country on school-sponsored trips, including Winterim and summer programs.
- Global Scholars: Heathwood has welcomed a student from that country for at least a year.
- Faculty & Staff Connections: Teachers or staff members have meaningful personal or professional ties to the country.
Many flags represent multiple connections, highlighting the overlapping ways our community engages globally.
The Display and Its Story:
To help visitors understand the display, signage will include a schematic identifying each flag’s location in the rafters and the country it represents. This will allow visitors to explore the flags visually while learning the stories behind them, celebrating Heathwood’s global connections through students, faculty, and staff.
One of the many things that I love about Heathwood is the way that we recognize that the world is bigger than Columbia, South Carolina and the way that we help students experience that world, whether through travel programs, international students, or the curriculum itself,” says Upper School Head Dr. George Scouten. “Every time I look at these flags–and every time I see our collection grow–it affirms some of the good work we’re doing here for our students.”
The updated flag display is more than decoration, it is a symbol of Heathwood’s mission to prepare students to engage with the world thoughtfully, curiously, and respectfully. Every flag reflects a connection, a journey, and a story, now visible for all to see in the heart of the Robinson Center.