Two University of Rochester graduates have made a $5 million donation to their alma mater to establish the Ed and Andy Smith Endowed Fund for the Performing Arts.
The university says their gift will support performing arts program in the School of Arts and Sciences, but it also goes further in supplying seed money for construction of a new theater on the River Campus.
The Smiths are 1972 graduates. They’re working with 1967 grads Thomas and Linda Sloan to provide support for the new theater. The UR says it has a shortage of performance and rehearsal space on the River Campus, and the theater will address that issue.