LongTime Richardson Resident Fran Cordell McGrew
makes Major Gift Contribution to the Eisemann Center

The Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations announced Friday, January 30, 2004 at a Donor Appreciation Reception held prior to a performance of Titanic-The Musical that a gift of $10,000 towards the Eisemann Center Major Gifts campaign has been received from Fran Cordell McGrew in honor of her late husband, Robert J. Cordell.  The gift will be acknowledged by the naming of Dressing Room F on the Terrace Level as the Robert J. & Frances Cordell Dressing Room.

The Cordells, Richardson residents since 1955, were exemplary civic leaders, with the late Robert Cordell serving as a founding member of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra and later as board president. They also volunteered their time and support to the Richardson Community Concerts and were founders of The Church of the Transfiguration. Fran Cordell was an active and vital leader of the Richardson Woman’s Club while raising three children, Victor Cordell, David Cordell and Peggy (Mrs. Louis) Beil, who lives in Richardson with her family. The former Mrs. Cordell married Mr. Everette McGrew on December 31, 2003 and they will remain as Richardson residents.

The Cordell gift completes the naming of the Center’s two dressing rooms on the Terrace Level.  Dressing Room E is designated as the Arzell & Thelma Ball Dressing Room. Other Major Gifts received from Charles W. Eisemann through The Eisemann Foundation Fund of the Communities Foundation of Texas, Inc.; Margaret and Al Hill, Jr. (Hill Performance Hall), through the Galatyn Park Corp.; Diane Sullivan Price (Price Green Room) and Barbara and Leo Eveleth (Barbara & Leo Eveleth Star Dressing Room), kicked off the Center’s campaign, and with the R. Frank & Geraldine Leftwich (Leftwich Grand Foyer) and Forrest & Virginia Green, (Forrest & Virginia Green Mezzanine-Gallery) were formally announced in August of 2001. Added since that time were gifts from Jim & Imp Lightner (Steinway Grand Piano, Yamaha Baby Grand Piano & Yamaha Upright Piano), Carol & Arthur Wilson (Carol & Arthur Wilson Broadcast Center), TXU (TXU Lobby), Diane & Jim Wardrup (Wardrup Green Room), the Kaufman, Pierson & Reid Families (Kaufman, Pierson & Reid Families Star Dressing Room) and W. Kenneth & Beverly Wickham (W. Kenneth & Beverly Wickham Performers Assembly Room).

The Major Gifts campaign has received $3,960,000 of pledges, cash contributions, and land donations to date, representing 78% of the overall goal of $5,070,000.  According to Sarah Nesbit, Marketing and Development Manager of the Eisemann Center, “Six Major Gifts opportunities still remain that offer permanent naming recognition ranging from $10,000 to $750,000, including the Center’s 368-seat Theatre and the 3,150 sq. ft. Multi-Use Room and Dressing Rooms A, B, C, and D on the Lower Level.”  The Major Gifts Campaign Committee, chaired by Charles W. (Chuck) Eisemann, is working to complete the remaining naming opportunities available in the Eisemann Center as well as exploring the potential for corporate and foundation funding. The City of Richardson established the non-profit Eisemann Center Foundation in 2002 prior to the opening to assist the Eisemann Center with its philanthropic initiatives and in 2003 began a Seat Naming Capital Campaign for both performance venues and a “Friends” membership program to increase support for outreach and programming needs. The Eisemann Center is located at 2351 Performance Drive in the Galatyn Park Urban Center in Richardson, Texas.

The Eisemann Center is a City of Richardson facility and is located in the Galatyn Park Urban Center at 2351 Performance Drive in Richardson, Texas. The Eisemann Center is easily accessible from Highway 75 North taking the Galatyn Parkway/Renner Road exit going north and the Galatyn Parkway/Campbell Road exit going south or from the DART light rail station at Galatyn Park. Sponsors for the 2003-2004 season include The Dallas Morning News / WFAA-TV, AT&T Wireless/Ericsson and 2003-2004 ticket sponsor, KRLD-1080AM.