Ohio University breaks ground on new era of arts education with the Violet L. Patton Center for Arts Education
On Monday, April 21, the University broke ground on the new Violet L. Patton Center for Arts Education which will provide students, faculty, staff and the community with a new state-of-the-art arts facility dedicated to collaboration and experiential learning.
Story by Samantha Pelham; photos by Rich-Joseph Facun | May 16, 2025
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Ohio University took a major step toward a new era in arts education with the groundbreaking of the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts Violet L. Patton Center for Arts Education on Monday, April 21. This groundbreaking marks a pivotal moment in the college’s renewal strategy, which aims to foster more interdisciplinary collaboration by creating innovative, modern spaces for artistic growth.
The ceremony took place on McCracken Field, behind Patton Hall, the future home of the Patton Center. With the completion of this new building, the Arts + Education Green will be fully realized, offering a dynamic hub that brings together the College’s six schools and four professional arts programs, creating a collaborative community for artists of all disciplines.
“This is a proud day for Ohio University and a significant milestone for the arts,” said Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “Breaking ground on this facility reaffirms the vital role of the fine arts in both higher education and society. The arts encourage critical thinking, deep empathy, and innovation—skills that transcend disciplines and prepare students to engage with the world in meaningful ways.”
Ohio University's Marching 110 Drumline performed during the groundbreaking.
Alongside President Gonzalez, Interim Dean of the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts Jody Lamb spoke at the event, as well as Jeffrey Chaddock and Mark Morrow, for whom the college is named. Violet Patton’s legal advisor, Katharine Davidson, also addressed the crowd, highlighting the lasting impact of Patton’s legacy.
“In our first meeting, Violet made two things very clear: her unwavering love for OU and her passion for the arts and education,” Davidson said. “She was determined to make a lasting impact, and she committed herself to the planning and vision behind the building that we are now celebrating.”
Davidson, who served as Patton’s legal advisor for 10 years before her passing, reflected on Patton’s career, life and dedication to furthering the arts and education, explaining that this event marks a true milestone in her vision for the future and was something she had dreamed of for many years.
Erica Ahmed, a first-year musical theater major, also spoke at the groundbreaking, sharing her excitement for the new space and the opportunities it will provide for all artists.
Student Erica Ahmed speaks during the groundbreaking, emphasizing the opportunities the college offers.
“Coming from a smaller place and walking into this environment of artistic collaboration and interdisciplinary focus was inspiring,” Ahmed said. “The new facilities and upgrades on campus are exciting because they not only enhance individual programs but also bring artists from all disciplines together. This realistic, collaborative approach mirrors how the creative world actually works with visual artists, performers, writers and designers all in conversation. That kind of connection is what makes the arts so enriching, and it's something that students here will feel every day. It also sends a powerful message to prospective students and supporters that the arts matter and are worth investing in.”
Ahmed added that she is especially excited for the prop shop and the scenic studios, even though they’re not directly tied to her major. According to her, having new shops like this directly located in the Patton Center will open so many new possibilities for performance and production.
“What originally brought me to OU was a recommendation from a vocal teacher. If he hadn’t pointed me here, I might never have known to look,” Ahmed, who is from Defiance, Ohio, added. “That’s why I believe building a dedicated arts center in this region will have such a big impact—it will draw students who didn’t even realize this was an option. It will help establish and grow these programs and shine a spotlight on the creative talent being cultivated right here in Ohio.”
Interim Dean Jody Lamb shares a look at the college's future.
Ohio University's Dance Team gets the crowd excited before leadership broke ground.
The Patton Center is made possible by a generous $50 million gift from the late Patton, a 1938 alumna of Ohio University. This gift is central to a $99.2 million plan to enhance arts education and community engagement at the University. The center will feature a 350-seat proscenium theater, rehearsal halls, a lobby for student-faculty-community connections and an art gallery to showcase student and professional work.
“When we give in meaningful ways, the ripple effect can be extraordinary,” Chaddock said. “That’s why it’s so important to continue to believe in the power of generosity and make a lasting impact.”
While the college has long been a creative leader, its aging facilities had struggled to match the caliber of its programs.
“Despite the limitations of outdated spaces, our students and faculty have continually risen to the challenge,” said Lamb. “This groundbreaking marks the beginning of a new era, where we reimagine our facilities to transform learning and artistic endeavors for future generations.”
President Gonzalez echoed Lamb’s sentiment, underscoring the essential role of the arts in shaping thoughtful and compassionate citizens.
From left to right: Katharine Davidson, Violet Patton's lawyer, Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez, Jeffery Chaddock, donor and supporter for whom the college is named after.
We must remember the arts are not a luxury, they are a necessity and shape thoughtful citizens, compassionate leaders and vibrant communities. They teach us to feel, to care, to walk in someone else’s shoes, to express beauty, and to think about ourselves in different ways. With today’s groundbreaking, let’s recommit ourselves to the belief of the arts at OHIO and in our world.
The hard hats worn by the groundbreaking participants were hand-painted by undergraduate student ambassadors from the School of Art and Design, making them meaningful keepsakes of the occasion.
The Patton Center will not only serve Ohio University’s students, faculty and staff, but also the wider Appalachian Ohio community. It is part of a broader initiative to transform the University’s arts facilities into more innovative and collaborative spaces.
Construction of the Patton Center is expected to be completed by Summer 2026, with students moving into the building by Fall 2027. Major renovations to Seigfred Hall are also part of the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts' long-term transformation strategy, as well as minor renovations to Putnam Hall and Glidden Hall.