Seton Hill University (SHU) received a $1.5 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation for its Center for the Performing Arts Project, located in the cultural district of downtown Greensburg.
�The RK Mellon Foundation has been a long time friend of Seton Hill,� said SHU president JoAnne Boyle.
By Kayla Sawyer,
Staff Writer
Seton Hill University (SHU) received a $1.5 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation for its Center for the Performing Arts Project, located in the cultural district of downtown Greensburg.
�The RK Mellon Foundation has been a long time friend of Seton Hill,� said SHU president JoAnne Boyle.
�The people at the foundation know Seton Hill well and have confidence in the work that we do,� Boyle said.
This is not the first time the Richard King Mellon Foundation has assisted SHU. They have helped to renovate the Administration Building and construct the McKenna Recreation Center, as well as other small projects.
�It’s always a surprise to get a large grant from anyone. We had worked very long and hard to present this proposal to the foundation and build a strong case for support,� said Boyle.
�We were very optimistic. They helped us through the whole grant process, asking questions, helping us sharpen our requests,� Boyle added.
The grant does not go toward any specific piece of the center, but for the general construction. The money will be used to create classrooms, studios, rehearsal spaces, and more.
�It’s about time,� said Samantha Conley, a sophomore. �There are so many music majors here and the stages are so small.�
According to Boyle, another two or three million dollars are needed to complete the project. The University Center for the Performing Arts Campaign has achieved more than $18 million toward its estimated goal of $21 million.
�We are excited because we are getting closer to the actual construction date,� said Boyle.
Preparation for the site began last November, construction is scheduled to begin in March and it is estimated to be completed in two years, according to Boyle.
�This means that students who are currently sophomores can look forward to using the center,� said Boyle.
�They said the new Cove would be done by the spring semester and it isn�t,� said Ryan Gephart, a sophomore.
�I can see this having more urgency, though, because they put so much money into it,� said Gephart.
�I can’twait till students are actually in the building, attending classes, doing their rehearsals, and actually using the building,� said Boyle. �The end use is what it’s all about.�
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