Announced in September, the Middlebury College Center for the Arts has been renamed the Kevin P. Mahaney ’84 Center for the Arts. The change honors 1984 graduate Kevin P. Mahaney and his support of the arts programs at Middlebury. “The building’s new name is a reflection of Kevin’s generosity and commitment to the arts as a key component of every Middlebury College student’s education,” said Middlebury College President Ronald D. Liebowitz.
“As a parent watching my own children develop their artistic abilities, I believe it is critical for Middlebury to continue to offer arts programs that excel in every area, from drama and dance to music and museum exhibitions,” said Mahaney. “The arts are a powerful tool that can sharpen and broaden students’ minds and expose them to new cultures.”
Mahaney is the president and chief executive officer of the Olympia Companies, a real estate firm based in Portland, Maine. As a student at Middlebury, Mahaney majored in economics and was a member of the lacrosse team, receiving All-American honors in 1985. Mahaney also earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. A 1992 Olympic silver medalist in sailing, Mahaney has served as a trustee of the University of Maine.
A dedication and renaming ceremony will take place on March 8, 2008, during a weekend of festivities to celebrate the building’s 15th-anniversary season. The anniversary activities will feature every artistic focus represented at Middlebury and will culminate in a beaux-arts ball, with music by student ensembles and the Department of Music. Check the next issue of Arts at Middlebury College for news about this exciting weekend.