Leadership Gift Will Establish the Squires School of Music and Creative Technology

Lebanon Valley College President Dr. James MacLaren announced a $5 million leadership gift from Joan Squires ’79 and her husband Daniel Hamann that will establish the Squires School of Music and Creative Technology and transform the College’s Bertha Brossman Blair Music Center into a hub for music education, performance, and creative technology.

The Blair Center is home to LVC’s Music Department that offers bachelor’s degree programs in Music, Music Education, and Music Production, in addition to graduate programs in Modern Band, Ensemble Leadership, and Music Education. More than 450 students—both majors and non-majors—participate in one of the College’s numerous music ensembles, including The Pride of The Valley Marching Band, Valley Jazz Orchestra, Concert Choir, and more.

“Establishing the Squires School of Music and Creative Technology will enable the College to strengthen current programs as well as offer new education and training in production technologies for the careers of tomorrow,” said Squires. “It will update an important 50-year-old building, including adding a more welcoming and accessible lobby that can be used by the entire campus, and improved acoustics in Lutz Hall.”

Signature renovations include a sweeping two-story glass lobby to welcome guests and serve as an additional event space along with a significant overhaul to Lutz Auditorium. Technology deployed in the auditorium and the building overall will allow students to work with state-of-the-art systems that will enhance performances and prepare them for future careers.

Lutz upgrades will include:

• Immersive object-based audio mixing platform
• Active variable room acoustics system
• Large format LED wall displays on stage and in house
• LED house and stage lighting
• System controls for hosting anything from simple events to full-scale productions with the touch of a screen
• Integration with existing recording and production facilities on campus

“Joan and I have made supporting education in the arts a philanthropic priority because we believe the arts are essential,” said Hamann. “For LVC, that means helping provide students with up-to-date technology, strong facilities, and high-quality training they need to be prepared for the future.”

The establishment of the Squires School of Music and Creative Technology builds on the College’s reimagining of its Music Production major that now offers three tracks focused on audio engineering, audio entrepreneurship, and immersive audio.

“The Squires School of Music and Creative Technology will allow professors and students to create immersive performance programs, incorporating a visual accompaniment to our musical performances,” said Dr. Chris Heffner, Co-Chair and Professor of Music. “This gift will help the faculty continue the legacy of excellence that our alumni have created and sustained.”

Squires, a member of LVC’s Board of Trustees, serves as President of Omaha Performing Arts, a nationally recognized institution that operates four performance venues. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from LVC and master’s degrees in Music and Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

“One of my favorite parts of serving as a trustee is having the opportunity to meet students and hear about the extraordinary things they are achieving,” said Squires. “I hope future students will create their own lifelong memories at LVC—memories shaped by the people they meet, the experiences they have, and the education that helps prepare them for what comes next.”

The gift is part of Lebanon Valley College’s Ever Forward campaign, a $100 million effort to advance student scholarships, academic excellence, and the student experience.