Strosacker Foundation Gift to Support Heritage Center Upgrades
Major facility upgrades and equipment enhancements to The Oscar E. Remick Heritage Center for the Performing Arts at Alma College soon will become a reality thanks to a $313,000 gift from The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation in Midland.
Originally built in 1993, The Heritage Center is the College’s primary public artistic performance venue. It comprises Presbyterian Hall, home to the Dance Company, Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Choirs and Jazz Band; and the small theatre with scene and costume shops, dance studio and dressing rooms. The Center is also used for speakers, political debates, student recitals, school workshops, alumni and prospective student activities, community meetings and Highland Festival events.
“We are very impressed with Alma’s performing arts center and the educational opportunities that Alma College offers to its students,” said Bobbie Arnold, CEO and President of The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation. “It’s a wonderful facility. We are pleased to be among the College’s current supporters.”
In recognition of this generous gift, the College will rename the Heritage Center Theatre, The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation Theatre.
The gift will fund:
- lighting upgrades in the concert hall and theatre,
- a new acoustic shell in the concert hall,
- a new hardwood stage floor in the concert hall,
- new speaker clusters in the concert hall and theatre,
- carpet upgrades in the lobby, concert hall and theatre,
- a new grand drape in the concert hall and theatre, and
- seat and aisle light repairs in the concert hall and theatre.
The lighting upgrades involve replacing the entire lighting inventory in the two performance areas with better quality, cleaner, and more efficient light for shows. Replacing the current pine stage floor with a new hardwood sprung floor will meet the duo needs of dance and music performance groups. These upgrades will ensure that the Heritage Center meets industry standards, thereby increasing performance capabilities and enhancing the training of students who seek careers in the performing arts. In addition, these enhancements will ensure that the Remick Heritage Center remains one of the best performing arts venues in mid-Michigan.
Alma College has had a long and rewarding relationship with The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation dating back to the early 1970s. In 1992, The Foundation made a leadership gift for the construction of the Heritage Center. We are very grateful for the Foundation’s ongoing support of Alma College.
