March 2002
These are exciting times for the Museum. We are at the culmination of nearly five years of hard work by a dedicated staff. Gallery construction is in full swing and each day more casework and artifacts are installed. At the time of this writing, fully 90% of our casework has arrived and such exhibits as the Parthonon Frieze are being erected. Graphic panels for the galleries and the accompanying text are also arriving on a scheduled plan. Our opening day festivities are scheduled for September 26, 2002, with ribbon cutting ceremonies to commence shortly after the noon hour. We hope you will all be in attendance.
To celebrate the hard work and unfailing support of the Museum Board, a black tie dinner will be held on the evening of 25 September. Supported by corporate gifts and Board Vice President, Dr. Allan Campbell, the celebration will be held at the Champaign Country Club and will include a sneak preview of the museum.
Many of you have heard of the financial issues faced by the University. Fortunately, with the help of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean, Jesse Delia, the museum has been spared most of the hardships now facing many of our campus units. This is not to say that the museum has entered these lean times unscathed, as some adjustments will have to made to meet the mandated cutbacks, but our exhibitions and programs will carry on as planned.
As stated in my last letter, although our long-term endowment goal ($6 million) is on schedule, short-term finances remain a problem. Once the museum is open and visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the educational benefits of our exhibits and programs, we hope our short term needs will be met.