Alumni donate to new Arts Center

Half-million-dollar donation aimed at reconnecting grads

By John Sutter, contributing writer
Posted on November 12, 2007

The JMU Alumni Association has donated half a million dollars to the new Performing Arts Center as a way to visibly connect with alumni.

Elaine Hinsdale, Alumni Association board member, said they donated the money because the Alumni Association feel the Performing Arts Center will be another connection as well as an enjoyable venue to visit for alumni. 

“They saw a lot of value in a program like this … and put themselves behind the construction of the Performing Arts Center,” said the Director of the Alumni Association Ashley Privott. 

According to Privott, the 19-member board decided to donate the money to create a venue for alumni to return and watch performing arts events. 

“The Performing Arts Center will provide a wonderful function for alumni to experience at JMU,” said Hinsdale. 

The Alumni Association raised the money from a credit card deal with Bank of America.  Bank of America paid the JMU Alumni Association for the right to market credit cards with JMU pictures on them.  Privott said the money from the credit card deal, along with some of the $1.9 million left over from the construction of the Leelou Alumni Center and private donations were given to the new performing arts center. 

The Performing Arts Center is going to dedicate a courtyard in recognition of a donation and acknowledge the Alumni Association at the opening ceremony, according to Privott. The Alumni Association was already a part of the groundbreaking ceremony during Homecoming Week.

“We hope that all alumni will continue to support the project…[and] will join in and give private donations as well,” said Hinsdale. 

Both Privott and Hinsdale said the alumni can’t wait for the project to be completed.

The Performing Arts Center is scheduled for completion in March 2010.