Meredith Plans Jones Auditorium Renovations
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Meredith College will begin a renovation of Jones Auditorium, which was built in 1949. A lead gift from Lisa Robie Poole, ʼ86, and her husband, Ven Poole, will allow the College to complete phase one of the project, which includes new seating, new carpet, lighting, sound, a new elevator for accessibility, and general upgrades.
“This gift from the Pooles gives the College a great start with the renovations and we are really, really excited about this and thank the Pooles for this gift,” said President Allen. “Next will come phase two of the renovation, an addition that honors the facade of the auditorium but also adds a glass front with additional space that will give us room for performances, events, and lectures.”
Phase two funding will lead to the creation of the Meredith College Performing Arts Center.
Poole had a desire to give this gift because of her love of theater and what Jones Auditorium meant to her when she was a student at Meredith College and the fond memories she treasures.
Poole points out that Jones Auditorium is a place for other events like classes in art, music, and drama, as well as dance performances.
Jones Auditorium is also an important hub for faculty, staff, and students and for the Raleigh community. For instance, Poole said she never imagined decades after graduating she would use Jones Auditorium to host author events with her business Quail Ridge Books.
“I want the Meredith community to be proud of Jones Auditorium, whether it’s for hosting dignitaries, school performances, college traditions, parents, donor celebrations, or authors from a certain Raleigh bookstore. I want Jones Auditorium to have the ‘wow’ factor, yet still feel like home,” said Poole.
Interested in helping fund phase two of the project? Contact Cindy Godwin, associate vice president for institutional advancement, at godwinc@meredith.edu or (919) 760-8206.
Contact Information
Emily P. Parker
(919) 760-8718
epparker@meredith.edu
