October 17, 2013 marked 40 years since the dedication of Mago Hunt Center for Performing Arts. After a fire in 1969 destroyed the buildings housing the music and drama departments, William “Bill” Hunt, then chair of the board of regents, generously financed the new facility named in honor of his wife, Mago Hunt. In honor of this milestone for the performing and fine arts department, all are welcome to view a pictorial display of Mago Hunt Center created by the University Museum in the display case across from the Shepard Freshman Resource Center on the first floor of Buckley Center. The University Museum is located in the basement of Shipstad Hall in room 014. Open Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and also by appointment. University faculty, staff, and students are invited to stop in and learn more about the University’s history. Contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, at 8038 or piatz@up.edu for more information.
Bill Hunt
The Great Fire of 1969
Early on the morning of April 18, 1969 a five-alarm fire destroyed three wooden structures on campus on the site of what are now Mago Hunt Center and the Oddo Memorial by Franz Hall. Lost in the blaze were Education Hall (which housed the theater and AFROTC), Music Hall, and a smaller building which was formerly the psychological clinic and housed offices for The Beacon, student government, and other programs. The loss of the theater and music buildings, while devastating to their respective programs, paved the way for a new performing and fine arts facility, Mago Hunt Center, generously funded by regent Bill Hunt and named in honor of his beloved wife Mago, a great theatre afficionado. All are welcome to view a picture display of the fire and aftermath created by the University museum. The display case is located across from the Shepard Freshman Resource Center on the first floor of Buckley Center. For more information contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, at 8038, or piatz@up.edu.