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All eligible seats int he GCPA's Great Hall have been named due to the efforts and donations from alums and donors.
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Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts Seat Naming Initiative Successfully Completed

October 15, 2026

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MACOMB, IL - After just over two years of fundraising, the Western Illinois University Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts (GCPA) seat-naming initiative has been successfully completed. Originally launched in July 2024, the initiative provided donors the opportunity to have a plaque installed on the back of a seat in the Great Hall. Following two recent fundraising challenges from donors Ernie Wish and Ernie Codilis `73, all eligible seats have been named in the GCPA's Great Hall. Of the 869 seats in the facility, 726 were available to name for a $250 donation. As of Monday, Oct. 12, all 726 have been named, totaling $181,500 to benefit the programming and operations of the GCPA.

"I am deeply appreciative to all our donors who named seats in the Great Hall of the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts throughout this campaign," WIU President Kristi Mindrup said. "It has been truly inspiring to see multiple generations of Leatherneck alumni, current and former faculty and staff, friends of WIU, business and community colleagues and even current students contribute to the success of this magnificent new facility for years to come."

A plaque will be permanently affixed to the back of each seat, offering a consistent reminder of the donor's generosity. Approximately 300 seat plaques have already been installed in the Great Hall, and the remaining plaques will be installed in the coming weeks.

"The success of the Goldfarb Center's seat campaign is a great affirmation of the excitement felt by our alumni and friends," GCPA Interim Director Mick Cumbie said. "It is a remarkable achievement to realize a complete sellout of named seats in any similar venue, but especially that of a regional public university. We are honored and humbled by the philanthropic commitment to reach this milestone."

In addition to the completed seat-naming initiative, donors have provided more than $4 million to support the GCPA. Their generosity, ranging from $10,000 to multi-million dollar commitments, has been recognized through the naming of 38 impactful spaces throughout the facility. Seventeen named spaces remain for potential donors.

For more information about the remaining GCPA naming opportunities, please contact Patrick Downing, director of development, at pg-downing@wiu.edu or (309) 298-5320.

All fundraising initiatives in the GCPA support the ongoing For the W Campaign. For more information about the For the W Campaign and to make a gift to support the students of Western Illinois University, contact University Advancement at 309-298-1861, or go online at wiu.edu/forthew.

Posted By: Drew Donahoo (AM-Donahoo@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing