SIC breaks ground on Ella Elizabeth Hise art museum
HARRISBURG - Capital projects and investment in education may not be as common as it once was, but thanks to a generous benefactor, Southeastern Illinois College is continuing to grow.
On Tuesday, SIC President Jonah Rice hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the much-anticipated regional art museum to be built on the southwest corner of the college.
"Today marks a new world, so to speak, a wonderful idea among friends who share common interests and a common heritage," Rice told those gathered at the groundbreaking.
The museum, the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art, is made possible by a donation from retired Air Force Col. William C. Hise and the estate of his twin brother, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. James C. Hise. Gen. Hise died in February 2016.
The 8,000-square-foot museum will highlight art and artists from a 40-county area, including parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri. It is expected to be completed in less than one year, Rice said. SIC Art Professor Sara DeNeal will serve as curator.
"Celebrating and memorializing the art and culture of our area, this building will be a home for all of us in our region," Rice said. "But none of this would be possible without Mr. Hise's great sense of philanthropy. We at Southeastern are so proud of our friendship and so thankful for our gift."
Rice said that in addition to the cost of construction, the $2.5 million donation made by Hise contains an endowment to pay for continued operational support.
"This is a wonderful way to help SIC flourish in this time of diminishing dollars to higher education," Rice said. "The board of trustees and I greatly appreciate that."
Rice then read a statement from Hise regarding the museum.
"On behalf of my late twin brother, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. James C. Hise and myself, I want to thank Southeastern Illinois College and particularly Dr. Rice and the board of trustees and particularly Dr. York for accepting our donation to build this art museum on the Harrisburg campus and for agreeing to name the museum the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art in honor of our sister, who was a teacher and art supervisor in the Harrisburg public schools for many years, and who during that time became a leader in art education in the state of Illinois."
Barbara Allen, a retired longtime art teacher for Harrisburg High School offered a brief biography of Ella Elizabeth Hise (1908-1962) and her career in art education. Allen then spoke about the importance of museums.
"Museums are caretakers of history. Museums are full of stories. Museums encourage questions, some which can be answered and some which cannot," Allen said. "Museums boost language development, encourage new ideas, spark creativity, foster family bonding and inspire."
Board of trustees chairman Dr. Pat York also thanked Hise.
"On behalf of the citizens, the taxpayers and students of this fine institution, we say thank you for your generosity."
Rice then invited Hise and others to join in a ceremonial groundbreaking, complete with golden shovels, to symbolize the beginning of construction.