Wesleyan College Unveils Transformed Peyton T. Anderson, Jr. Amphitheater

MACON, GA - Wesleyan College celebrated the opening of its newly renovated and renamed Peyton T. Anderson, Jr. Amphitheater during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 14. Made possible by a $590,000 gift from the Peyton Anderson Foundation, the transformation of the space provides students and faculty with a more modern, versatile setting for learning and campus events, with plans to welcome the greater Macon community for future gatherings.

     The venue underwent a complete renovation and has been rebuilt with new seating, updated technology, enhanced lighting, new tables and other improvements. The renewed space is designed to serve as a state-of-the-art facility that supports lectures, presentations, academic programs and other campus and community gatherings.

     Wesleyan leadership, representatives of the Peyton Anderson Foundation and members of the Wesleyan community gathered for the 9:00 AM ceremony to celebrate the completed renovation and recognize the partnership that made it possible.

     “We have been very intentional about the spaces we create on our campus for students to learn, gather and connect with one another during their Wesleyan experience,” said Wesleyan College President Meaghan Blight. “The Peyton Anderson Foundation has helped us transform this amphitheater into a place that better serves our students and faculty, and we are grateful for their continued commitment to Wesleyan. As we open the amphitheater to community events, we are also creating new opportunities for Wesleyan and Macon to learn from and connect with one another.” 

     Beyond its role in campus life, the amphitheater is also intended to serve the greater Macon community. Wesleyan plans to use the renovated space for community events, offering an additional place for neighbors and local organizations to gather on campus.

 The Peyton Anderson Foundation’s relationship with Wesleyan extends back to 1989.

Across 21 gifts and pledges, the Foundation has committed more than $5.9 million to the College, supporting academic programs, facilities and student opportunities over more than three decades.

     Major commitments include $1 million for the Munroe Science Center in 1997, $900,000 for Wesleyan’s nursing program in 2011 and a $505,000 three-year commitment in 2023 to the downtown Leadership Lab, home to the CEO Leadership Institute. The Foundation has also supported scholarships, the arts and Wesleyan’s endowment.

     “Our partnership with Wesleyan reflects a belief that strong educational institutions help strengthen the communities around them,” said Karen J. Lambert, President, Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee of the Peyton Anderson Foundation. “This renovation enhances the day-to-day experience of students and faculty while creating possibilities that extend beyond campus to benefit the broader Macon community. We hope the Peyton T. Anderson, Jr. Amphitheater will become a place where people from across Macon can gather, exchange ideas and build connections for years to come.”

     As Wesleyan approaches its 190th anniversary, the newly renovated Peyton T. Anderson, Jr. Amphitheater will become part of the experiences that shape generations of students yet to come, while welcoming more of Macon into the life of a College that has called Macon home for nearly two centuries.