Arts Center dream comes true

  Sunday, December 7, 2014 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Sunday was a day full of emotions. That’s what happens when dreams come true.

More than 1,000 gathered at Pittsburg State University’s new Bicknell Family Center for the Arts to cut a ceremonial ribbon and tour the $33 million hall. For many who had worked for years to make the dream of a performance hall on the PSU campus a reality, it was a joyful experience.

“More than anything, this day is a celebration of the spirit of this institution and this community,” said PSU President Steve Scott. “Without the support of our students and donors and the incredible work of our campus faculty and staff who helped design this beautiful structure, this day would have never arrived.”

Scott said that although planning for the Bicknell Center began in 2010, the dream goes back much farther into the university’s history.

“Throughout the time I have been president, I have kept a document on my desk that is dated May 1972,” Scott said. “On that document is a list of six construction projects that then President George Budd hoped to have privately funded. Number six on that list was a ‘Center for the Performing Arts.’

Scott praised the PSU students and the 636 private donors who have given to the project so far. He singled out lead donor Gene Bicknell and his wife, Rita, as well as Linda and Lee Scott and the Walton Family Foundation for two major gifts and named some of the top donors to the project.

“Your belief in our vision and your investment in this structure have produced an extraordinary outcome that will serve generations to come,” Scott said.

Student Government Association President Jordan Schaper said the students’ support for the Bicknell Center was part of a long history of student investment in the campus. He cited the student role in the rebuilding of Russ Hall after the fire of 1907, construction and later renovation of Carnie Smith Stadium and the construction and now expansion of the Overman Student Center.

“We answered the call of our university and have forever left our mark on this campus,” Schaper said.

Representing the Kansas Board of Regents, Regent Kenny Wilk said the Bicknell Center represented what could be achieved when a university and a community work together.

“Rather than look to others for a solution, you, the students, faculty, community, alumni and friends, came together and created your own,” Wilk said. “Working hand in hand, you have transformed a dream into a reality. It’s an inspiring story and it is becoming commonplace at Pittsburg State University.”

Although each of the speakers praised Gene Bicknell, his wife, Rita, and their family for the key role they played in the construction of the new facility, Bicknell used his comments to praise the university, its students and alumni and the community.

“The relationships we have with PSU and this community surpasses one’s imagination,” Bicknell said.

He said the community has a way of achieving goals others might have considered too lofty.

“It amazes me how they (the Pittsburg community) always come together to meet their goals,” Bicknell said. “Whether it’s the YMCA or the United Way or the university, they come together.”

Bicknell said the completed project is even better than he had dreamed it could be.

“In our vision, I never quite conceived it to be this grand,” he said.

To set the stage for the ribbon cutting ceremony, the PSU Choir, under the direction of Susan Marchant, performed “Let the River Run,” by Carly Simon. It was the same song the choir performed at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Visit Bicknell Family Center for the Arts website at www.bicknellcenter.com