The Wharton Center photographed on Aug. 23, 2019.
With the building's subtle curvature, reflective windows and a variety of inspiring performances inside, it’s not surprising why East Lansing resident Nancy Passanante was drawn to the Wharton Center.
She started attending plays with her friends from church and eventually got involved with the student life of the actors. Passanante was impressed by the quality of performances and wanted to support in any way she could.
She connected with the director of development, Kristen Calabrese. They formed a friendship and Passanante has been actively donating for at least 15 years.
“Her support has largely gone toward helping to build and grow our education institute,” Calabrese said. “ ... It’s called our Institute for Arts and Creativity and it has all different programs for students of all ages. We focus a lot on K through 12, but there are education programs for students of all ages to foster creativity and grow their involvement in the arts.”
Recently, Passanante donated $30,000 to support Wharton Center’s Giving Tuesday campaign. She used this amount to challenge the public to match her donation collectively. By the end, the campaign raised around $54,645 including Passanante’s gift.
“It’s important to keep the programs going,” Passanante said. “I mean if we want to get all of these wonderful plays, it’s expensive. They need a lot of support.”
Her donation was impactful to the center. In previous years, ticket sales accounted for 70% of revenue. Although no shows are adding expenses, the Giving Tuesday donations and donations over time, help keep the funds consistent.
“I was really very appreciative,” Calabrese said. “I think Nancy wants to see Wharton Center and a lot of other nonprofits in our community thrive throughout the pandemic.”
Passanante encourages others to get involved with the Wharton Center as well.
“It’s very rewarding and certainly it’s very worthwhile,” Passanante said.
Passanante, a generous donor, is also generous with her time. She is now retired but used to work as a payroll clerk in Holden Hall, connecting her to the MSU community.
She volunteers at her own church, St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as St. Vincent Catholic Charities and a food bank. Due to the pandemic, she can’t continue volunteering at the Haven House and another East Lansing nursing home.
She hopes her work can help East Lansing organizations be successful.
“(My donations) keep them going,” Passanante said. “I mean, it’s been a hard time lately with the virus. It’s really been hard and they’ve needed the help.”
Giving back to the community is a common practice for Passanante. Her friend and neighbor Kathy Barron notices this passion.
“(Nancy is) incredibly caring and generous,” Barron said. “She’s matter-of-fact and straightforward. I know she has a strong faith. Saint-in-training.”
Barron thinks Passanante’s active service within the community is a reflection of her personality.
“I think you can tell a lot about a person when you look at how they spend their free time and how they spend their money,” Barron said. “When you do that for Nancy, you see a beautiful person who speaks volumes about the things she cares about.”
Passanante is grateful for this aspect of her life.
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“I’m blessed that I have the money available to me to do that,” Passanante said. “I feel that’s what I should do is help my community."
Barron believes Passanante’s generosity has made an impact on East Lansing.
“With Haven House, with St. Vincent DePaul, with all these other organizations, there are these ripples that go out and these other things that you’re able to do because of your donation, because of your time,” Barron said. “I think it’s had a tremendous impact.”
