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Gibson Center for the Arts

Gibson Center for the Arts

John and Nancy Underwood

With the passing of John G. Underwood on December 26, 2008, Washington College received $1.5 million to name the lobby in the new $24 million Gibson Arts Center. The Underwood Lobby will serve as a mecca for students, faculty, and community members who will pass through it on their way to productions in the new main prosenium Decker Theatre, Tawes Black Box Theatre, and the recital hall, as well as exhibits in the Kohl Art Gallery. Providing a dramatic, soaring glassed space for receptions and exhibits, the Underwood Lobby will overlook Martha Washington Square and the Cater Walk.

Mr. Underwood's contribution augments an earlier gift of $1 million from Mr. Underwood's wife, Nancy L. Underwood, to create, using matching funds from The Hodson Trust, the Underwood Chair in Art and Art History at Washington College, now held by Dr. Donald McColl. In addition to funding the Underwood Chair, Mrs. Underwood donated antique furniture and paintings now housed in the Hynson-Ringgold House and the Patrick Henry House.

"This gift is a fitting bookend to the Nancy L. Underwood Chair in Art and Art History and a memorial of her affection for Washington College and the arts," Mr. Underwood said in making provisions for the gift to fund the lobby. "Nancy took comfort that she had found in Washington College a venue to foster in others her passion for art and to preserve favorite pieces from her collection. I look forward to the lasting contribution the fine arts center makes to the Washington College experience and to our community."

John Underwood and his wife, Nancy, retired to Chestertown after living for many years in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and Columbus Ohio, where he was a senior project manager with Asea Brown-Boveri, an international construction and engineering company. He was a graduate of Miami of Ohio University and he held a professional engineering degree from Colorado School of Mines. Nancy Underwood was graduated with honors from the University of Cincinnati and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Williams Club of New York. The couple were married at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Chestertown.