University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Yearbook (Oxford, MS)

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CQDS Welcome to the red world! Gowns Graduation opens doors to new opportunities and ends a chapter in each graduate ' s life. With each new graduate comes rising questions about jobs, relationships and the future in general. This year ' s graduates are no exception. 2+lstudenJ lif photoi by Robin Freeman

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by Nathan Geddie The opening of the state of the art Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts came with a rather impressive attendee list to its inaugural gala. On March 29, 2003, the red carpet was rolled out at 100 University Avenue for a grand opening comparing to no other on the Ole Miss campus. Such stars as Morgan Freeman, Broadway star Laurie Gaily Stephenson and actor Gerald McRaney graced the audience with their talent. Along with the big Hollywood names, Ole Miss performers brought the crowd out of their seats. Ole Miss singing groups Blue Ten Harmony and Perfect Fourth sang. Perfect Fourth sang a medley from O Brother, Where Art Thou?. Showstopers, another Ole Miss performing group, stole the stage with their rendition of a scene from IVesr Side Story. Ole Miss alum Sam Haskel was the executive producer of the inaugural gala. Actor Freeman was the Master of Ceremonies. Although Freeman has stared in a number of movies and been nominated for three Academy Awards, Freeman was nervous about hosting the event. With the new performing arts center opening its doors, many new opportunities were created for Ole Miss students to show their talent and bring more talent to the Ole Miss campus. The 88,000 square foot multi-event hall which seats approximately 1,200 patrons was designed for a variety of performances from lecture and small chamber music to full scale symphonic performances. The building offers state of the art computer controlled theatrical lighting systems, a fully operational orchestra pit and lift to accommodate 50 musicians and 2,800 square foot rehearsal or reception hall room. The center was funded through the Gertude C. Ford Foundation and the Mississippi Legislature. In order to begin the first phase of construction in May 2000, a $20 million gift was given to Ole Miss by the Jackson based Gertude C. Ford Foundation in 1998. The Mississippi Legislature also donated $10 million for the facility and $500,000 for the planning of the rather large project. Subsequent gifts from the Ford Foundation enabled the University to purchase the land that the building sits on and the 500 plus parking spaces beside it. Being completed in December 2002, the Ford Center helps create a bond with the University of Mississippi and the public through the performing arts.

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I come here today with 01 specific message, and thaj to say to you who are receiving your diplomas tl as you achieve this significant milestone, I ho| you will remember how y got here and, more than what your obligation There is not a single regardlejs four age or (on in life or where w« it came from, who did not arrive on the back of soi aren