Dear Wharton Center Donors, Subscribers, and Supporters,

With great sadness, I write today to share the passing of our namesake, Dr. Clifton R. Wharton Jr.

Although we knew Dr. Wharton as a champion of the performing arts, he had an incredible life filled with amazing milestones: entering Harvard University at age 16, serving as chairman and CEO of TIAA-Creft the first Black man to serve as CEO of a Fortune 500 company, serving under six U.S. presidents in foreign policy advisory posts, and, of course, serving as President of Michigan State University from 1970-1978 (the first Black president of a major U.S. university).

It was during his presidency at MSU that Dr. Wharton introduced the idea of a performing arts center to be built on campus.

"I consider the arts a unifying force in the world, bringing people together across the many fissures that divide them.” —Dr. Clifton R Wharton Jr.

The university’s first major capital campaign launched on April 19, 1975, with a performance starring Lena Horne and Tony Bennett. With the overwhelming effort of Dr. and Mrs. Wharton, the funds were raised to start construction on the center in 1979. In recognition of their vision and tireless work to bring the center to life, MSU’s Board of Trustees honored the couple by naming the center Clifton and Dolores Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Both were in attendance at the packed opening performance by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on September 25, 1982.

Forty-two years later, Wharton Center continues to honor Dr. Wharton’s legacy by bringing people together to experience the arts in our community through performances on our stages and statewide educational opportunities. More than 225,000 patrons will pass through our doors this year, where we hope each of them find inspiration, entertainment, and a sense of unity that he and Mrs. Wharton envisioned.

We at Wharton Center stand firmly by Dolores and son Bruce as we navigate this difficult time. Through the arts and community built by Dr. Wharton and Dolores, we will look for peace.

Best Regards,

Eric Olmscheid
Executive Director