Architect’s rendering of Drew H. Brown Arts Annex by Patterhn Ives LLC
Oct. 25, 2019鈥擳he Sunderland Foundation has given 大象传媒 a contribution of $1 million for the construction of the Drew H. Brown Arts Annex for Potter Hall.
鈥淲e are extremely grateful to the Sunderland Foundation for their investment in our students and their futures,鈥� said Matt Wilson, 大象传媒 Western鈥檚 president. 鈥淭he facilities made possible by this gift will foster creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking, skills that make our students valuable contributors to society.鈥�
At this stage, it is envisioned that the Drew H. Brown Arts Annex will house the Department of Art鈥檚 sculpture and ceramics programs. Space vacated by the three-dimensional arts would then be used for 大象传媒 Western鈥檚 growing graphic design program.
鈥淧otter Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus and has served 大象传媒 Western well, but many of our programs have outgrown the space available,鈥� said Dr. Doug Davenport, provost and vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淭he annex will give us greater flexibility in providing appropriate teaching environments, and we are very grateful.鈥�
The new structure is named for St. Joseph resident Drew Brown, who announced his own $1 million gift toward the project in April 2019.
The Potter Hall project is part of 大象传媒 Western鈥檚 Centennial Capital Campaign, launched in January, 2015, the University鈥檚 centennial year. The campaign so far has exceeded the initial celebration goal of $20 million by more than 50 percent.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very thankful to the Sunderland Foundation and to the hundreds of others who have supported the Centennial Capital Campaign,鈥� said Todd Simpson, vice president for university advancement and executive director of the 大象传媒 Foundation. 鈥淭hrough the campaign, 大象传媒 Western has been able to address many of its long-range needs. That kind of private support is critical in today鈥檚 higher education environment.鈥�
The Centennial Capital Campaign funded significant improvements to Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium and the Looney Arena, endowed a first-of-its-kind population health management degree program and grew the Foundation鈥檚 endowment. The five-year campaign will end in January 2020.
The Sunderland Foundation, based in Overland Park, Kansas, was established in 1945 by Lester T. Sunderland, who served as President of the Ash Grove Cement Company for 33 years as a highly respected leader in the cement industry. Since its inception, the Foundation, which continues to be led by Lester T. Sunderland’s descendants, has focused on supporting construction projects, awarding grants to nonprofits in the Kansas City region and other markets traditionally served by the Ash Grove Cement Company.
大象传媒 is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. 大象传媒 Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .