FirstEnergy Foundation provides PAC light and sound room naming gift
The FirstEnergy Foundation has doubled down on the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Garrett College.
Having already committed to a naming gift for one of the PAC offices, the FirstEnergy Foundation has also provided the naming gift for the Light and Sound Room in the PAC. Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president, termed the multiple donations “extremely inspiring.”
“FirstEnergy and the FirstEnergy Foundation have made a significant commitment to this facility, which will be a tremendous community resource,” observed Midcap.
Lorna Wisham, president of FirstEnergy Foundation, called the PAC “a cultural and educational asset that will benefit the region for years to come.”
“FirstEnergy is committed to strengthening the communities where we live and work, and we’re proud to support this exciting new facility with a gift from the FirstEnergy Foundation,” added Wisham.
The FirstEnergy Foundation, funded entirely by FirstEnergy, contributes to local nonprofit organizations with the goal of strengthening the social and economic fabric of communities within its service region. FirstEnergy, which includes one of the
FirstEnergy Foundation provided a named gift for the Light and Sound Room in the new Performing Arts Center at Garrett College. Pictured, left to right, are Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap, Mr. Jim Sears of FirstEnergy, Mr. Jim Crowder of FirstEnergy, and Garrett College Foundation Executive Director Cherie Krug.
nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serves both the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern regions.
The FirstEnergy Foundation naming is one of a series of gifts recently announced by the Garrett College Foundation (GCF). The GCF has raised more than $2.2 million toward the $2.5 million goal of The Campaign for Garrett: Realizing our Dream that will generate regular income for PAC operations.
“Our community members and local businesses have been extraordinarily generous in contributing to this ambitious campaign,” said GCF Executive Director Cherie Krug, noting the $2.5 million campaign is the largest in the Foundation’s history. “We are currently working with a host of potential donors to help us reach that $2.5 million goal.”
Mary Callis, executive director of the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College, said the light and sound capabilities provided for in the PAC will improve the experience for both performers and audiences.
“State-of-the-art sound and lighting are vital to the community who will be using this facility,” said Callis. “Until now, it has been difficult, if not impossible, to have certain theatre and dance performances in our community due to inadequate lighting and sound technology.
“In addition, there will be opportunities to provide more training and teaching on how to use this type of technology,” said Callis, noting the PAC will be a center for learning as well as performing. “I’m grateful for the opportunities that will be provided thanks to the generous donation by the FirstEnergy Foundation.”