PSU names Bicknell Family Center for the Arts performance hall
Friday, November 14, 2014 2:00 AM
News
Pittsburg, KS
Pittsburg State University has announced that it has named the performance hall within the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts in honor of Linda and Lee Scott, in recognition of a $5 million gift made in 2012 on their behalf by the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation through the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.
The 1,100-seat Linda & Lee Scott Performance Hall is housed within the university’s new $33 million Bicknell Family Center for the Arts.
“The Bicknell Family Center for the Arts is a transformative facility for our campus and our region,” said Pittsburg State President Steve Scott. “We are extremely grateful to Linda and Lee Scott and to the Walton Family Charitable Foundation for their generous support of this project. They understand the positive impact this facility will have on our students and our community.”
Linda and Lee Scott’s relationship with Pittsburg State dates back to 1969 when both were students. After earning a business administration degree in 1971, Lee began a successful career in retail sales that would culminate with his position as president and CEO of Walmart, the world’s largest retailer.
“Linda and I have followed the progress of this beautiful facility with great interest and we’re thrilled to see it so close to completion,” said Lee Scott. “There’s little doubt that it will enhance the college experience for thousands of students over many years. We thank the Walton Family Foundation for their generous gift and are looking forward to enjoying a future performance in the new Bicknell Center.”
The Bicknell Center will provide Pittsburg State University with its first true performance facility since 1978, when deterioration forced the closure of Carney Hall. In addition to the Linda & Lee Scott Performance Hall, the facility will also house a 250-seat theater, a 2,000-square-foot art gallery, grand lobby, reception hall, and multi-use rehearsal space for large musical groups.
Construction is scheduled for completion later this month. A special ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, and is open to the public.
“This facility is as much a reflection of the growth and progress of our community as it is our university,” said President Scott. “We encourage everyone to join us on December 7 as we celebrate the completion of what, at one time, many considered an impossible dream.”
The ribbon cutting event will include a special performance by the Pittsburg State University Choir and extensive tours of the Bicknell Center. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. on December 7 with the event starting at 1 p.m. Tours will be offered until 3 p.m.
For additional information please visit pittstate.edu.