From left, Davis & Elkins College President Emeritus ‘Buck’ Smith, Joni Smith, D&E Assistant Professor of Art Michael Doig, President of the Davis & Elkins College Board of Trustee June B. Myles and Davis & Elkins College President Michael Mihalyo.
The limestone facing surrounding the fireplace in Myles Center for the Arts at Davis & Elkins College bears the name of Joni and Buck Smith. Now a painting of the President Emeritus and his wife will grace the adjacent wall to welcome all who meet in the cozy gathering area.
The Joni and Buck Smith Arts Forum was officially dedicated Thursday, Oct. 16 during a dinner for the College’s Board of Trustees, faculty and staff. Described by Davis & Elkins President Michael Mihalyo as “a warm, welcoming place,” the space features comfortable seating, tables and chairs, and a display case highlighting achievements of Davis & Elkins alumni. Ceiling-to-floor windows on both sides of the room allow natural light to flow through the open space.
The Forum serves as a meeting area for students and groups, a place for patrons to mingle during performance intermission, and a venue for casual entertaining or banquets.
The large framed painting of the couple is the work of D&E Assistant Professor of Art Michael Doig. The portrait shows the Smiths standing in front of a row of books, while below is an inset of their beloved Siberian Husky, Holly.
Dedication of the area marks the completion of key areas in Myles Center for the Arts, named in honor of the College’s Board of Trustees President June B. Myles who led the course in refurbishing the building to provide enhanced facilities for the arts and utilize unused space.
Mihalyo thanked Myles for her vision and generosity, and members of the Board of Trustees for their confidence and efforts in the “bold transformation” of the facility.
Myles Center for the Arts includes Pit Dance Studio and ceramic and art studios on the lower level. Located on the main level, in addition to the Forum, are The Stirrup Gallery, the satellite bookstore, and Harper-McNeeley Auditorium, the area’s largest indoor venue which is often the site of music, dance and comedy performances.
“This is a place where students, faculty and the community can come together to discover the essence of humanity,” ‘Buck’ Smith said of the Myles Center.
Dinner guests were also treated to a performance by Appalachian Ensemble, the College’s student string band and dance group.
Many members of the Board of Trustees will remain on campus throughout the weekend as the College celebrates its annual Alumni Homecoming Weekend with class, Greek and athletic team reunions, the Alumni Awards Presentation and Reception, a public concert by Cornel Gunter’s Coasters and The Drifters Revue, and sporting events, among other activities. For a complete schedule, visit www.dewv.edu. For concert ticket information, visit www.dewv.edu/arts-entertainment or call the Davis & Elkins College Box Office at 304-637-1255.
Related to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Davis & Elkins College is located in Elkins, 2 hours east of Charleston, 3 hours south of Pittsburgh and 4 hours west of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit the College website at www.dewv.edu or call 304-637-1243.
