Supporting the Arts: A Family Affair
BY BRENT BAKER ’85
5 MIN. READ
Sitting with Larry and Renee Allen in the living room of their lovely home and talking about the performing arts, it is apparent that they love music, theater, and dance all areas of interest at Anderson University which they have substantially supported. Larry, a retired physician, has had a lifelong interest in the arts. Renee’s love for the performing arts began as a young child, progressing through opportunities for high school productions in drama and show choir, and continuing for many years as an actor in local theater in the Madison County area. Although neither of the Allen’s graduated from Anderson University, their commitment to providing resources for our performing arts programs was sparked by the realization that the AU programs could be an inspiration to local students who might realize that a quality education was available in their own backyard.
As is often the case with generous benefactors, the Allens’ love for AU grew as they were able to watch their investments make our programs better, much better. In fact, Dr. Jeff Wright, Emeritus Dean of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, commented that their financial support “built our program into what it is today.” Dr. Wright was not discounting the skills, abilities, and great efforts of the amazing faculty or the students whose work is so often shared on our campus. He was, however, noting that the resources provided by the Allens over the past 20 years have made possible a level of technical expertise in our student productions, through inviting professionals to be involved in areas such as lighting, costuming, sound, set design, and choreography. The Allens have provided for a broad experience for students beyond simply singing, acting, or dancing, opportunities that are largely unparalleled in schools of our size.
The legacy of the Allen’s generosity is tied to another couple with their own legacy of community support, support that included Anderson University all the way back to the early 1980s. This was Renee’s aunt and uncle, Thelma and Fred Boze. Fred was a high-ranking General Motors executive who worked with the company for 49 years. Upon his and Thelma’s death, Renee was the beneficiary of a sizable estate which she utilized to create the Fred and Thelma Boze Foundation.
The Boze Foundation has been a primary source of gifts that the Allens have directed to Anderson University, totaling nearly $500,000. From these Boze Foundation gifts, and other donations, the Thelma V. Boze Endowment Fund was created with the annual earnings providing funding for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. The Boze Endowed Fund has provided more than $300,000 to the SMTD since 2006 and funded the creation of the Boze Lyric Theater, a regular series of musical theater and opera productions. In addition to growing the Boze Endowed Fund, the Allens have made significant gifts to support scholarships for male dancers and the jazz ensemble. Outside of the performing arts, the Allens have also significantly supported our programs in cybersecurity, and nursing, as well as a scholarship for women in national security.
There is a joyful energy felt when talking with the Allens about the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. They have enjoyed many student performances on campus, built relationships with faculty and students, and have the distinct pleasure of knowing that their generosity has made a substantial contribution to the wonderful reputation, education, and experience of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and its students. The Allens are a wonderful example of a community partner making Anderson University an even better place to get an education, particularly in the performing arts.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.