Dennis and Cheryl Woods

Dennis and Cheryl Woods have always enjoyed the arts. When Fresno State's theatre department needed help, the Woods agreed to help find donors for the Arena Theatre upgrade project and ended up being the project’s main donors.

The Arena Theatre was in need of serious upgrades: lighting and sound as well as improvements for the green room and makeup area. The audience seats also needed to be refurbished. The Woods knew that the theatre played an integral role in the education of many students and that many people in the community came there to enjoy plays and other productions.

Dennis, an involved Fresno State alumni, and Cheryl’s contribution triggered a matching grant from the Harry C. Mitchell Trust, doubling the impact of their gift. The venue, in which numerous shows are staged throughout the year, now is called the Dennis and Cheryl Woods Theatre.

"For Cheryl and me, the arts have always been an important part of our giving," Dennis says. "This was a great opportunity to showcase the university's facility and the talent of the students."