The historic New College Theatre will be renamed Farkas Hall to celebrate a generous donation from Harvard University alumnus Andrew L. Farkas. Farkas earned his bachelor?s degree in economics from Harvard in 1982.

Farkas, a long-time supporter of the arts and the former president of Harvard?s renowned Hasty Pudding Club, aims to further advance the arts on the storied university?s campus. The donor?s funds are earmarked for celebration of the arts and the continued upkeep of the historic building.

?My Harvard experience was amongst the most formative and significant in my life,? Farkas said. ?My times at the Hasty Pudding were amongst the most joyful and memorable. That generations of Harvard students will learn, grow, and flourish in Farkas Hall, in the building that has been the ancestral home of the Pudding and all of the organizations it has spawned, is a great privilege for the Farkas family. To know that the space will be preserved for use by those organizations, and that it will also serve to incubate the creative skills of Harvard?s emerging talent, is extremely gratifying.?

The theatre, a Georgian Revival building that was constructed in 1888, has served as home to Hasty Pudding Club and the Hasty Pudding Theatricals -- the nation?s oldest social club and university theater group. The theatre also plays host to campus a cappella singing groups the Harvard Krokodiloes and Radcliffe Pitches.

In 2005, the New College Theatre underwent a sweeping renovation that preserved the building?s frontage and added additional performance and rehearsal space to the 270-seat university theater. A centerpiece in the community, the theatre is also open to the public at large.

?Over 375 years, Harvard College has forged some of our nation?s foremost creative artists, who have thrived in our rich research environment,? said Michael D. Smith, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and John H. Finley Jr. Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences. ?Farkas Hall will serve as a testament to this aspect of Harvard?s proud heritage, and we are deeply grateful to Andrew for his vision and his extraordinary generosity. The impact of his support will touch generations of Harvard students.?

Farkas and his wife have long played a central role to the theater community in New York City. Farkas? wife Sandi Farkas is a playwright, and the founder of the Playwrights of New York. The nonprofit organization provides annual fellowships to developing writers.

About: Andrew Farkas, Andrew L. Farkas, Andrew Farkas

Farkas serves as the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Island Capital Group LLC and C-III Capital Partners LLC. In his previous role, Farkas was the chief executive officer and chairman of Insignia Financial Group Inc.