Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts

The Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts, commonly known as the Ford Center, is a prominent cultural institution located on the campus of the University of Mississippi in Oxford. Established through a generous gift from the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation in Jackson, Mississippi, the Ford Center was envisioned by Chancellor Robert C. Khayat and came to fruition in 1998 with additional support from Anthony R. Papa, Cheryle M. Sims, Leon E. Lewis, Jr., the Board of Trustees of the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation, and the State of Mississippi. The Ford Center was constructed with a substantial endowment of $20 million from the Ford Foundation, complemented by an extra $5 million from the same foundation and state funding, culminating in a total project cost of $30 million. This investment resulted in the creation of a six-story, 88,000 square-foot facility that has become one of the region's premier venues for the performing arts. Featuring two performance spaces and state-of-the-art theatrical production facilities, the Ford Center is renowned for its excellent acoustic qualities, elegant lobbies, and comfortable seating for 1,169 patrons in the main hall. It is the hub of the university's cultural and scholarly mission, dedicated to presenting the finest in performing arts and hosting distinguished lecturers. Since its inception, the Ford Center has hosted an average of 150 events each year, including appearances by notable figures such as Prince Edward, King of Jordan, Janet Reno, Cornel West, James Earl Jones, Doris Kearns Goodwin, James Meredith, and Thomas Friedman. The stage has welcomed a plethora of artists, including Morgan Freeman, Hal Holbrook, Renée Fleming, B.B. King, Marty Stuart, Hilary Hahn, Mavis Staples, Vince Gill, and Michael Bolton, as well as national tours of Broadway shows. A landmark event in the Ford Center's history was the 2008 presidential debate between Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama, which brought global attention to Oxford and the Ford Center. The event was meticulously planned by faculty, staff, students, and community leaders, and was surrounded by numerous community and school events. It attracted thousands of journalists and political pundits from around the world, cementing its status as one of the marquee events in the center's history. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Ford Center has organized a diverse array of performances, expanded offerings for local school children, published a commemorative book titled "20 Years of History, Stories, and Performances," and planned a spring gala featuring Mississippi celebrities and friends. The Ford Center is staffed by a team of administrative and technical professionals who manage all aspects of the facility's operations, from daily maintenance to the presentation of touring shows and support for university and community events. The center continues to serve as a beacon for arts and culture in Mississippi and the wider region, fulfilling its mission to enrich the cultural landscape and inspire future generations.