Major Gifts
Community partners and friends of Wharton Center, both corporate and individual, have made swift and powerful statements with their contributions to the capital campaign which will help fund Wharton Center’s expansion.
MSU Federal Credit Union
On May 19 the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) announced a $2.5 million gift to MSU’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts to fund the new MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts & Creativity and continue its support of the Broadway series.
“The MSU Federal Credit Union has a long-standing commitment to supporting Michigan State University and programs that enhance the student experience and enrich the community in which we live,” said Bill Latta, chairman of the board of MSUFCU. “It gives us great pleasure to reaffirm our commitment to the Broadway at Wharton Center series, and to offer additional support for the new Institute for Arts & Creativity.”
Jackson National Life Insurance
“Having lived and worked in Los Angeles for many years, Wharton Center is as good or better than any major city venue and much easier to take advantage of in terms of price and convenience,” said Andy Hopping, CFO and executive vice president for Jackson National Life Insurance. “Jackson is very pleased to be able to help support world class entertainment in our community and to ensure Wharton's ongoing growth and success.”
The Christman Company
“As a company focused on long-term client relationships first and foremost, there is no relationship The Christman Company treasures more than the one we share with Michigan State University,” said Steve Roznowski, president and CEO of The Christman Company. “As we approach our 100-year anniversary of building landmark structures together across the beautiful MSU campus - beginning with Agriculture Hall which started it all in 1908 - we are truly thankful for this milestone centennial relationship. We also toast the 25th anniversary of Wharton Center, a cultural highlight of our community as well as an incredible source of pride for Christman, and we are pleased to be able to support the capital campaign in this way.”
Larry and Arlene Sierra
Patrons and donors since Wharton Center opened its doors in 1982
“We have enjoyed our experiences at Wharton in every dimension, particularly for our family,” said Larry and Arlene Sierra. “Our children were engaged in music and music appreciation activities early on, and continue those interests today. Now our 4-year-old grand daughter is following suit and may just out-sing, out-dance, and out-perform us all! We feel very strongly about the importance of giving, and in this case in particular, giving back to a university that has been instrumental in the success of our careers, our children's education and their success. Through Wharton Center’s growth and expansion, our hope is such opportunities will be available to people for generations to come.”
The MSU Board of Trustees unanimously gave “authorization to proceed” at their April 18th meeting. Bloomfield Hills-based TMP Architecture/TMP Associates Inc. designed the expansion and renovations. Lansing-based Christman Company will lead the construction process, which is scheduled to begin this month. The new addition is scheduled to be completed in May 2009; renovations to existing space will be completed by September 2009.
Wharton Center for Performing Arts at Michigan State University ushered in a new era on Monday, May 19, with the official groundbreaking for the Center’s 24,000-square-foot expansion. The ceremony took place at 1:30 p.m. on Wharton Center’s north plaza and included remarks from MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, MSU Board of Trustees vice chairperson Melanie Foster, Wharton Center executive director Michael Brand, and the special announcement of a $2.5 Million gift from the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union.
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