Dedication of Dunning Performance Center set for September 30

August 14, 2017

The public dedication of the new Dunning Performance Center will be an official part of Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s 2017 Homecoming festivities. The dedication is scheduled for 2 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 30.

A gift from Jim Dunning of Wichita, a 1981 graduate of Northwestern, allowed the University to convert a large part of the former National Guard armory on Thunderbird Road into a state-of-the-art indoor athletic training facility, serving multiple sports and support groups.

"I'd been thinking a lot about what it takes to make an impact, what it takes to make a difference to someone or to an organization, whether it is time, talent or treasure as the saying goes,” Dunning said at the time of his gift in December of 2016. “The timing was right, and I knew that I could give back. I could tell this would make a difference.”

Proceeds from the gift allowed Northwestern to install an artificial turf surface on the large open drill floor, allowing baseball, softball, women’s soccer and golf teams, along with cheerleaders and band members, to utilize a year-round practice facility.

Baseball and softball teams now benefit from two 70-foot long ceiling-mounted batting cages that can be raised and lowered at the touch of a button. Portable pitching mounds are also available.

The Dunning Performance Center also serves as the home for the softball and women’s soccer programs. Dunning’s gift allows those facilities to now have wifi access, cable television and improved athletic training facilities.

-NW-

CONTACT FOR RELEASE
Ali Gavitt, University Relations Specialist
apgavitt@nwosu.edu, 580-327-8480