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MU Chancellor Emeritus
Richard Wallace, left, and Chancellor Brady Deaton unveil
a portrait of Mary Nell Porter, a smaller version of one
that will hang in Lowry Hall. Porter took a great interest
in promoting the arts at Mizzou. Steve Morse photo
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Performing Arts Center Receives Lead Gift
By Jeremy Diener
The planned performing arts center at the University of Missouri-Columbia received a boost when MU Chancellor Brady Deaton announced a $1 million gift from the estate of Mary Nell Porter to support the project.
“Mary Nell dreamed of the day the performing arts center would take shape,” Deaton said. “Her gift, the lead gift for the center, will help the University realize her vision.”
The performing arts center represents the first phase of a larger vision for an arts village on the campus, said Michael Kateman, executive director of arts development and planning. The arts village will support programs within the School of Fine Arts, including music, theatre and visual arts.
The University currently is working on the second phase of designing and planning for the performing arts center. University officials anticipate the results of that work in June. Once those results are available, the University will proceed with fund-raising plans for the performing arts center.
Family, friends and students attended the gift announcement to honor Porter, who died April 15. In recognition of her gift, Deaton and Chancellor Emeritus Richard Wallace unveiled a rendering of a portrait of Porter that will be displayed in Lowry Hall. Senior Music major Alicia Miles sang in her honor, and senior theatre major Elise Link spoke of her work on behalf of performing arts students.
“Mary Nell took great personal interest in promoting the arts at MU,” Kateman said. “Her generous spirit and deep enthusiasm for helping young people pursue the arts will be her legacy.”
Porter, a 1969 graduate of the MU College of Business, was actively involved in art, music and theatre at MU. Her involvement included serving as an usher for the University Concert Series as well as traveling to see performances of Corps of Discovery, an MU musical detailing the travels of Lewis and Clark, in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Charlottesville, Va. She also attended every Mizzou on Broadway and Mizzou on Tour event in New York City.
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Last Update:
November 15, 2007
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