The Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts multi-day dedication events in November 2019 received a CASE District VI Gold Award.
CASE is the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Each year their awards recognize the best practices in advancement.
The Carson Center Dedication won in the Special Events-Multi-Day category. The event was organized by the University of Nebraska Foundation, Chancellor’s Office, Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts and Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts.
The judges noted that it was “a very personalized event for the donor experience.”
The Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts was officially dedicated on Sunday, November 17, 2019, at 1 p.m. with a public ceremony following a weekend of events to celebrate its opening and beginning of its inaugural year. The series of events were designed to recognize and honor the $20 million gift from the Johnny Carson Foundation to create the physical center and establish the Emerging Media Arts (EMA) academic program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
The weekend opened on Friday, November 15 with the Carson Conversations, a free, public symposium featuring members of the Carson Center Advisory Council speaking on the role the EMA program will have in today’s rapidly changing workforce. A private dinner followed with members of the Carson Foundation Board joined by the university’s chancellor, dean of the college, director of the center, president and CEO of the foundation, and other significant supporters who were vital to the vision and fruition of the center to celebrate and reflect on the philanthropic support provided by alumnus Johnny Carson and his charitable foundation.
On Saturday, November 16, the chancellor hosted a football pregame, recognizing the Carson Foundation board members during the program, then escorted the board members to Memorial Stadium where they were acknowledged during an on field announcement at the Husker football game and hosted in the chancellor’s skybox.
The weekend wrapped up on Sunday, November 17 with the dean, faculty and staff having brunch with the Carson Foundation board before attending the formal dedication ceremony.