Muskingum News

The gift, made by longtime donor Bill Brown in memory of his wife, Nancy Wiley Brown ’64, provides the catalyst for a comprehensive effort to modernize the chapel’s performance, worship, and infrastructure systems while preserving its historic character.  

Brown Chapel serves as the heart of Muskingum’s spiritual and communal life and is the University’s sole performance venue for music. Every concert, recital, ensemble performance, and sacred music experience on campus takes place within the space. 

“This gift is both generous and meaningful,” said President Flavius Lilly. “Brown Chapel is one of those places that carries the memory and spirit of Muskingum.  It is where students perform, where the campus gathers, where music fills the room, and where generations of Muskies have marked important moments in their lives.  Bill Brown’s gift gives us the momentum to care for this special place and to imagine what it can be for the next generation.”  

The first phase of the renewal will focus on strengthening Brown Chapel as a place of worship, music learning, and community gathering while preserving its historic character. This work will improve the experience for those who use the chapel, support students and campus programs, and help extend the reach of chapel events to alumni, families, and friends beyond campus.  

Nancy Wiley Brown, a 1964 graduate of Muskingum College, built a lifelong commitment to music rooted in her education at Muskingum. Her husband’s gift honors that legacy while strengthening a space where music, reflection, and community continue to come together. 

“This is a beginning,” Lilly said. “Bill’s leadership gift gives us a strong start, but it also invites others who love Muskingum, who love music, and who understand the importance of Brown Chapel to be part of renewing this space.  We have a responsibility to honor its history and make sure it continues to serve our students and our community well into the future.”