The Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma has established a $100,000 endowment at East Central University through its Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma to help fund cultural enrichment programming in ECU's Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.
Expressing their thanks to Grand Master of Masons Charles Belknap of Enid (center) for a $100,000 endowment from the Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma are East Central University President John Hargrave (left), and Phyllis Danley Kunze, executive director of the ECU Foundation Inc. The endowment was established through the ECU Foundation to help fund cultural programming in ECU's Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. Interest income from the endowment will be used to bring a variety of programs to the fine arts center.
The documents establishing the Masonic Endowment for Cultural Enrichment were signed before a reception at the fine arts center Tuesday [MAY 4] by John Logan, executive director of the Masonic Charity Foundation, and Phyllis Danley Kunze, executive director of the ECU Foundation Inc.
Interest income from the endowment will be used to bring speakers and visual arts, music, dance and theatre productions and performances to the center that can be enjoyed by both the ECU and Ada communities.
"Inspiring and educational experiences will be provided, as well as appropriate and family-friendly programming that will instill the values of Freemasonry," the agreement states.
A Cultural Enrichment Committee will be formed to determine the types of programming that will be chosen each year.
"We hope that there will be at least two performances or productions each year that will list the sponsorship of the Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma," Kunze said. "At all times, the values of the Masonic Fraternity will be the basis for considering the programming."
Logan said the Masonic Fraternity has always supported public education at every level.
"We were in a position this year to offer a special grant," he said. "We decided the regional universities do such a tremendous job and we felt this endowment could benefit all the students on the ECU campus."
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