News and Progress

MU receives $1 million gift for performing arts center

April 28, 2005

Chancellor Emeritus Richard L. Wallace, left, and Chancellor Brady J. Deaton unveil a rendering of a portrait of Mary Nell Porter that will be displayed in Lowry Hall.

The planned performing arts center at the University of Missouri received a boost today 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.”

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.

Lampo Leong, MU associate professor of art, with finished portrait of Mary Nell Porter.

“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.