Jax State Opens Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts | Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University officially opened the Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts (ROC) on Tuesday, marking a historic milestone for the university and unveiling a performance season that will bring nationally recognized artists, educational programming, and cultural events to Northeast Alabama.
“Many universities have named buildings after people over the years, but very few, if any, are named after an artist whose music became part of the soundtrack of American life,” said Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. “We finally have a place where our students’ talents can be displayed, and we have a place where students can learn how to record and even perform their talents. And that has been worth the wait.”
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, a longtime friend of Owen, also delivered remarks during the ceremony, praising Owen’s impact on Alabama and his continued investment in future generations.
“What will come out of this for generations to come will change lives,” Speaker Ledbetter said. “There are children who haven’t been born in this state today that will receive an education and learning from this facility that will change people’s lives.”
