RELEASED: October 15, 2009

By Mike Norris

DANVILLE, KY—George Foreman, longtime managing director of Centre College's Norton Center for the Arts, has accepted the position of director of the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center. Foreman's resignation will become effective at the end of December, and he will assume his new duties Jan. 1.

"We--the College community, the surrounding communities, and the citizens of Kentucky--owe George Foreman a tremendous debt of gratitude," said Centre president John Roush. "George has taken us all on a remarkable adventure for the past quarter century plus. With energy, tenacity, and imagination, he transformed a fledgling operation into a performing arts center with an international reputation for excellence."

Foreman came to the College in 1983 after serving nine years as director of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center in Iola, Kansas.  In addition to serving as the Norton Center's managing director, he also holds an appointment as associate professor of humanities.

A tireless promoter of the arts and a music historian, Foreman has brought a steady stream of the world's greatest performers to the Norton Center.

From Mikhail Baryshnikov to Dolly Parton, from Kathleen Battle to Willie Nelson, from the Soweto Gospel Choir to The Producers, Centre's campus has truly been "Kentucky's Home to the Stars" during his tenure.

In addition, the College hosted the 2000 Vice Presidential Debate in the Norton Center, making Centre the smallest institution and Danville the smallest town ever to host a televised General Election Debate.

Notably, in 1990, Foreman, along with Centre professor of music and renowned trumpet soloist Vince DiMartino, founded the Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville. The annual summer event features a variety of bands in free outdoor concerts and attracts 40,000 visitors from around the world.

He is also founder of the Advocate Brass Band, a community brass ensemble that has toured internationally and released several CDs.

While a national search is conducted for Foreman's successor, Milton Reigelman, who has held many positions at the College including that of acting president, will serve as the interim director of the Norton Center. He will be aided by Debra Hoskins, 17-year Norton Center veteran, who will serve as assistant director.

Have comments, suggestions, or story ideas? E-mail leigh.ivey@centre.edu with your feedback.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Consumers Digest ranks Centre No. 1 in educational value among all U.S. liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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