Tompkins County Trust Company has awarded a $25,000 challenge grant as part of a commitment by the Friends of Ithaca College to raise $100,000 for the James J. Whalen Center for Music at Ithaca College. The funds will be used for the building's green room/reception area, which will be named for the Friends when the facility opens in January 1999.
James Byrnes, president of Tompkins County Trust Company, announced the grant at the all-class dinner and awards banquet held May 31 as part of the college's Reunion weekend activities.
"Ithaca College's progress during the past 22 years, under President Whalen's leadership, has been remarkable," said Byrnes. "The music school was the foundation of the college, and this tangible commitment to the future of that program assures that it will continue to benefit the college and the community."
Friends of Ithaca College co-presidents Jean and Frank Proto told the reunion gathering that the organization's commitment was appropriate given the role the group has played with the institution over the past 40 years. "Ithaca College will always be your college, but this college has a special place in the hearts and minds of the Ithaca community and, in particular, the Friends of Ithaca College. The reception room represents a space for welcoming those not only from the community, but from other areas of the state, country, and world."
In keeping with the organization's mission and the spirit of the campaign, any money raised over the $100,000 goal will be added to the Friends of Ithaca College Scholarship endowment and earmarked for local students studying music.
"This is an extraordinary commitment by the Friends, and I am especially grateful to Jim Byrnes and Tompkins County Trust Company for once again taking a leadership role in support of Ithaca College through this very special partnership with the Friends," said Whalen. "This means a great deal to me personally and professionally, and, of course, to the campaign for our founding school. We are indeed 'Ithaca's college' in so many ways, and very proud to be so."
Ground was broken in March for the 55,000-square-foot addition to Ford Hall, home of the Ithaca College School of Music. It was announced Commencement weekend that the new facility, which will nearly double the amount of space for music students and faculty, will be named the James J. Whalen Center for Music in honor of the outgoing president's distinguished 22-year legacy. A total of $10.5 million is being sought through the center for music's fund-raising campaign, with the Tompkins County Trust Company gift taking that effort over the $8 million mark.