Minnesota State University, Mankato’s performing arts center was renamed the Earley Center for Performing Arts – for Dean Emerita Jane F. Earley – during a celebration and naming ceremony Saturday, Nov. 12.
Earley retired in 2009 after 40 years at Minnesota State Mankato. She was the first – and, until her retirement, the only – dean of the College of Arts & Humanities, and was the university’s first female dean.
A reception honoring Earley began at 1 p.m. in the lobby of the performing arts center. A program began at 2 p.m. in the center’s Elias J. Halling Recital Hall, and continued in the center’s Ted Paul Theatre.
President Richard Davenport and other officials spoke at the event. In addition, the Concert Choir and faculty member David Viscoli performed, with songs from the musical “Altar Boyz,” which is currently playing on the Theatre & Dance mainstage.
The Earley Center for Performing Arts, completed in 1967 and home to the departments of Theatre & Dance and Music, hosts dozens of theatrical performances each year in the 529-seat Ted Paul Theatre and flexible-seating Andreas Theatre, as well as musical performances in the 350-seat Elias J. Halling Recital Hall.
The center also houses full scene and costume shops, band and choir rooms, music library, faculty offices and various studios, classrooms and practice rooms.
One of the nation’s longest-serving arts and humanities deans, Earley has been honored by the national Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, which she led as president. She also chaired many other organizations, including the National Conference for Academic Deans, the Minnesota Humanities Commission, the Minnesota ACE network for women, and the Bush Collaboration for Faculty Development.
She led the successful donation drive that raised funds for Andreas Theatre, built in 2000.
Before being named dean, Earley was assistant, associate and acting dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. She also served for one year as the university’s interim vice president for Academic Affairs.
