$4.5M Gift Strengthens Theater and Music Initiatives at the University of Mississippi

OXFORD, Miss. – In a landmark act of philanthropy, lifelong arts patron Nancye Starnes has made a generous donation of $4.5 million to the University of Mississippi. The gift will bolster the institution’s efforts to establish a new scene shop, rehearsal space, and music recording studio, dramatically enriching the university’s vibrant arts programming. Starnes, a resident of Daniel Island, Mississippi, made this leading contribution with the hope of encouraging others to support the flourishing arts program at Ole Miss.

Boosting the Arts Infrastructure

Projected developments poised to benefit from Starnes’ donation include a scene shop, where students will prepare stage settings for various performances; a rehearsal space for uninterrupted practice sessions; and a state-of-the-art music recording studio. Ultimately, these sophisticated facilities will support the university’s mission of fostering a richly creative, academically dynamic arts program.

A Gift That Echoes Far

Notably, the