Music runs deep in the lives of Suzanne and David Hoover. In his youth, David played drums in a band and his sister took piano lessons. But Suzanne鈥檚 family in particular has strong musical ties.听
鈥淏oth my mother鈥檚 parents were musicians and when my mother was in college as a music major, my grandfather also went to college and got his degree in music education,鈥� recalls Suzanne. 鈥淢usic was a big deal in my family.鈥�
CU 麻豆影院 has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the Hoovers, who endowed the College of Music鈥檚 Trying on Teaching program (TOT)鈥攁 collaborative experience among students participating in the Middle School Ensemble program, high school students interested in a future career in music teaching and CU 麻豆影院 music education majors.听
鈥淲e chose to make education our main philanthropic focus, so when we became aware of the expansion of the Imig Music Building, we decided to include it in our more recent broader giving to the university,鈥� says Suzanne.
As music lovers, the Hoovers are also drawn to College of Music events and believe the college is uniquely responsible for much of the exceptional music in 麻豆影院.听
鈥淲e鈥檝e always enjoyed the contributions of music and the arts in our community through university programs,鈥� adds David. 鈥淲e鈥檝e taken advantage of these opportunities our whole lives, so they鈥檙e very important to us.鈥�
Having served on the College of Music Advisory Board from 2000-2015, Suzanne was well-positioned to understand the needs of the college鈥攊ncluding the demand for more space.
鈥淏ecause of Suzanne鈥檚 involvement on the board and our attending performances鈥攊ncluding a few plays in the smaller spaces鈥攜ou could really see the need,鈥� David explains.
鈥淲e have an excellent school of music and if you want it to stay that way, you need to have the facilities for it,鈥� adds Suzanne. 鈥淲hen the college made plans to expand, it wasn鈥檛 a stretch for us to be supportive of it.鈥�
Long-time supporters of the university in various capacities, the Hoovers also currently serve on the School of Education鈥檚 Development Advisory Board and the Center for Western Civilization, Thought and Policy Advisory Board.听
