Sharon and Ron Matthews World Ministry Center & John M. Reeves Fine Arts Building Renovation
The John M. Reeves Fine Arts Building has hosted thousands of events since its opening in 1967. The Reeves Fine Arts Building will be renovated and transformed into a signature facility which will include the Matthews World Ministry Center, Huff Concert Hall, and the Union-Zukowski Lobby and Gallery. The Department of Music and the Department of Theatre are also located in Reeves.
MATTHEWS WORLD MINISTRY CENTER The Sharon and Ron Matthews World Ministry Center is the heart of the University’s ministry to the campus, the region, the country, and the world at large. The center will be an acoustically superior space for a variety of religious and secular programming. The Matthews World Ministry Center will have multipurpose uses as a flexible recital hall seating up to 325 people, with an adjacent meeting room. Joined by a renovated and expanded lobby to the John M. Reeves Fine Arts Building, the Matthews World Ministry Center will provide the University a much-needed performance space that is smaller than Huff Concert Hall but still large enough for substantial, signature events. The Campus Ministry Program is a campus icon that leaves a large imprint on the hearts of students through worship and religious study opportunities, mission trips, and social outreach programs. Methodist University supports students on their spiritual journey whether or not they practice Christianity. Students of various faiths are encouraged to organize themselves for the purpose of learning and growing in their faith, and Campus Ministry encourages interfaith dialogue. Campus Ministry regularly hosts special events for students of diverse religious backgrounds. These events are open to all members of the campus community, regardless of religion.
Methodist University was chartered in 1956 as Methodist College, a coeducational college of liberal arts and sciences. The school was founded by the people of Cumberland County and the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church for the purpose of Christian higher education. The school seal portrays the “Prophet of the Long Road,” Francis Asbury, who was the first bishop of the United Methodist Church in America, and also symbolizes his successors, the early circuit riding clergy. Throughout the years, Methodist University has maintained a close working relationship with the United Methodist Church and the North Carolina Conference. “We should be rigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others.” – John Wesley John Wesley was an 18th century Anglican evangelist. He, along with his brother Charles, is credited with founding the Wesleyan Tradition and the Methodist Church.
“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” – John Wesley Campus Ministry at Methodist University has exciting and engaging programs for all students. On any given week, nearly 400 students participate in some aspect of Campus Ministry. The current center of the program is the weekly interdenominational services held Wednesday mornings at 11. Methodist University employs a campus minister to conduct weekly chapel services and minister to students, faculty, and staff. More than 16 small groups regularly meet for personal growth opportunities that include Bible study and special interests. At Methodist University, we not only study faith, but live faith through our community service. Each month, we have activities that engage students in service on and off campus. Every year, we have numerous domestic and international work teams. Faculty, staff and students explore and exercise their faith. We take literally the words of John Wesley that “the world is our parish.”
HUFF CONCERT HALL At Opening Convocation 2013, President Ben Hancock announced that Linda and Ralph Huff would be donating $1.5 million to renovate the auditorium in the John M. Reeves Fine Arts Building. The auditorium will now be known as Huff Concert Hall. More than 20,000 guests visit the auditorium each year for events ranging from graduation ceremonies to nationally recognized musical artists. The auditorium serves as the hub for performances and events at Methodist University, including musical performances, theatrical productions, cultural events, ceremonies, and lectures. Methodist University has also partnered with many local and regional groups to host events and conferences, including local schools and churches, the Fayetteville Symphony, the U.S. Army, and the N.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church. The value of the fine arts at Methodist University goes above the wealth of teaching and sharing talented students with the community, as the music and theater departments also bring local and renowned artists and opportunities to campus with events like special workshops and performances. The John M. Reeves Fine Arts Building is a cultural venue for the Fayetteville community, where people of all ages come to enjoy concerts, theatre productions, pageants, lectures, and other special events. In its new form, Reeves will be a visible, distinctive presence from Ramsey Street, which is a desirable trait for a structure that will often serve as a gateway for campus visitors who visit Methodist University for the first time to attend an event.
Under the University’s Master Plan, the Music and Theatre Departments will also see new growth, with plans for extensive renovations as well as expansions to the back section of Reeves. Expansions will be made on both floors to benefit the Department of Music and Department of Theatre.
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC EXPANSION CHORAL ROOM
The Choral Room will be a sound-proofed space with enough room to house the department’s choral library.
BAND ROOM
The Band Room is a heavily utilized space for rehearsals for all university bands and by important community ensembles such as the Fayetteville Symphonic Band and the International Youth Symphony.
MUSIC LAB
The Music Lab allows students the opportunity to work on musical projects and to hone their technological skills.
PIANO LAB
The Piano Lab will be used for group instruction in piano.
PRACTICE ROOMS
Sound-proof and climate-controlled practice rooms are the most productive and attractive environment for students to hone their skills.
STUDENT LOUNGE
A designated student lounge would be an oasis for students seeking a place to relax between classes and a reception area for guests.
DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE EXPANSION THEATRE LIGHTING, RIGGING AND ELECTRONICS
A space dedicated to these areas will not only centralize storage but also facilitate optimum care and maintenance of lighting and sound equipment.
SCENE SHOP AND PROP ROOM
The scene shop and prop room will facilitate ongoing construction of sets even when other events reserve the stage, thus increasing experiential learning in Stagecraft and Scenic Design classes.
COSTUMES, WIGS AND WARDROBE
Centralized, climate-controlled storage in the new space will prevent light and moisture damage of wardrobe items.
GREENROOM
The new greenroom will provide a “ready room” for both MU Theatre productions and guest artists with Music/Student Life events.
Matthews World Ministry Center
John M. Reeves Fine Arts Building
Theatre Department
Chapel
Union-Zukowski Lobby & Gallery
Center for Campus Ministry
Huff Concert Hall
Music Department
UPPER LEVEL
Reeves Building – Campaign Goal: $5,400,000 LOWER LEVEL
Mechanical
Class
Class Music Department
Studio
NAMING OPPORTUNITIES Department of Music Choral Room - $100,000 Band Room - $100,000 Music Lab - $50,000 Piano Lab - $50,000 Practice Rooms (10) - $20,000 each Offices (6) - $25,000 each Department of Theatre Theatre Lighting, Rigging, and Electronics - $100,000 Greenroom - $25,000 Theatre Classroom - $50,000 Women’s Dressing Room - $25,000 Men’s Dressing Room - $25,000 Scene Shop/Props Room - $50,000 Costume, Wigs, and Makeup Room - $50,000 Offices (2) - $25,000 each Student Lounge - $35,000 Reeves Fine Arts Building Chapel Lobby - $100,000 Campus Lobby - $100,000 Union-Zukowski Lobby and Gallery - Funded Huff Concert Hall - $1,500,000 - Funded Matthews World Ministry Center Matthews World Ministry Center - Funded Interfaith Conference Room - $100,000 Campus Ministry Suite - $250,000 Chaplain’s Office/Study- $50,000 Foyer - $50,000 Offices (4) - $25,000 each Interfaith Prayer Room - $100,000 Courtyard/Labyrinth - $100,000 Stained Glass Window - Funded Concert Piano - $50,000 Move and Upgrade of Pipe Organ - $100,000 Chairs - $100,000 Pulpit, Altar, Baptismal Font, and Water Feature - $100,000 Sound and Video System - $50,000 Huff Concert Hall Named Seats in Huff Concert Hall - TBD Donations of $1,000 or more will be recognized on a plaque centrally located in the facility.
Union-Zukowski Lobby and Gallery
The Union-Zukowski Lobby and Gallery will connect the renovated Huff Concert Hall with the Matthews World Ministry Center and serve as a site for meetings, receptions, dinners, and gatherings prior to performances and services. The area will also feature a gallery to display works of art, including those of students, faculty, and visiting artists. This multi-purpose space is made possible thanks to a generous gift from Terri Union and Carlos Zukowski.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Dr. Ben E. Hancock, Jr. | President bhancock@methodist.edu | 910.630.7005 Institutional Advance and Alumni Affairs 910.630.7200 5400 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28311 methodist.edu | 800.488.7110 Design by MU University Relations and printing by Monarch Press. (10/14)