Soon-to-be UVU received a generous donation from the Ray and Tye Noorda Foundation. The donation is the single biggest donation UVSC as ever received.
A large portion of the funds will go directly into the Noorda Regional Theatre Center for Children and Youth.
This newly developed program is connected with UVSC’s Department of Theatrical Arts.
"The support of this donation will continue to help us move toward becoming a quality university," said UVSC President William A. Sederburg. "It is a wonderful statement of confidence in our strategy of creating a university based on community engagement."
The donation was made with a vision of involving the community and getting the youth to participate in the performing arts.
Tye Noorda believes assisting the youth toward their goals and dreams builds confidence and competence that can be carried throughout life. She made the donation in honor of her late husband, Ray Noorda, who was the former CEO of Novell.
"Almost everyone has to get up and speak in front of a group at some point," Tye Noorda said. "It makes a difference if that person is confident and can stand up and give a speech that’s good enough and organized enough to get their point across. People will listen to them."
Part of the donation was matched by UVSC and is directed toward advancing the college’s theater facilities. The donation is also set to expand the Department of Theatrical Arts, as well as opening new staff positions.
"Tye Noorda is a woman who believes in the power of the arts to transform lives," said Kathie Debenham, interim dean for the School of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences.
"Thanks to her generosity and vision, young people will have the opportunity to experience the magic of theater and will develop the skills and confidence to present themselves to others," Debenham said. "Our students will reap tremendous benefits from the engaged teaching and learning that will be at the heart of the Noorda Theatre Center. We express deep gratitude for this gift that truly will make a difference in so many individual lives, as well as enrich and enliven our community."
