From the Ann Arbor News:
Administrators of the estate of a renowned potter and sculptor and longtime faculty member at the Interlochen Center For The Arts have given Eastern Michigan University $2.2 million in trust. It is the largest estate gift in EMU's history.
Jean Noble Parsons had no affiliation to EMU, but trustees of her estate donated the money to establish a center for the study of art and science on 86 wooded acres near Traverse City and Interlochen.
Parsons' trustees solicited proposals following her death in 2000 to establish a center in her name. The trust includes $1.75 million in cash and $489,000 in property.
The money is being used to establish a research center and wildlife sanctuary, offer programs for graduate students and hold public seminars. Parsons, who worked 38 years at Interlochen, also envisioned discussions by researchers and professors, along with nature walks for observation of flora and fauna. The gift was to be announced this morning at a press conference.
Professor Tom Venner, chairman of the EMU Art Department, said the center offers the chance for interdisciplinary study between the arts and sciences. "I'm thrilled to death,'' he said. "It's opened some really exciting possibilities for us."
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