UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney (left) and longtime UMass Lowell philanthropist Nancy L. Donahue (right) speak Thursday evening at the annual Nancy L. Donahue Celebration of the Arts. The event was hosted at Durgin Hall on UMass Lowell's South Campus, the focus of a $2 million gift from Donahue to renovate the building's 1,000-seat concert hall. / Photo by Tory Wesnofske.

Durgin Hall, the dedicated music and arts venue on UMass Lowell’s South Campus, is the focus of a $2 million gift aimed at renovating the nearly 50-year-old building.

Longtime UMass Lowell supporter and arts advocate, Nancy L. Donahue, donated the funds, which were announced Thursday evening at the annual Nancy L. Donahue Celebration of the Arts.

UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney said how grateful she is for Donahue’s lifetime of generosity to the university and organizations across the Merrimack Valley. Donahue and her late husband, Richard, established the Nancy L. Donahue Endowed Professorship in the Arts at UMass Lowell and both were awarded honorary degrees by the university.

“Nancy’s kindness has touched nearly every corner of the UMass Lowell campus,” Moloney said. “We are grateful to her for her longstanding support and know, thanks to her, the next generation of River Hawk artists and musicians will be able to learn and grow in an innovative and engaging space.”

“The arts have always been an important part of my life.” said Donahue. “It’s my hope more UMass Lowell students can now similarly devote themselves to their creative passions.”

As the music industry evolves and technology advances, so too must the venues. The scope of Durgin Hall’s renovation includes sound equipment and lighting upgrades, acoustic treatments as well as new seating. Accessibility to the 46-year-old venue will be addressed and a new vestibule entrance constructed.

Durgin Hall was built in 1976 on the then-University of Lowell campus as a concert venue and has historically been home to UMass Lowell’s music department. Located on Wilder Street in South Campus, Durgin Hall is home to the university orchestra, a 1,000-seat concert hall, rehearsal rooms, classrooms and specialized laboratories.

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