GEORGETOWN, Texas — The stage of Southwestern University’s Alma Thomas Theater has a name for the first time, thanks to a $1 million donation from the estate of alumnus Roger Edward Davidson.

The newly named Davidson Stage is the site of live performances on the Southwestern campus throughout the year, from theater performances to concerts. The stage’s home, the 720-seat Alma Thomas Theater, features an orchestra pit, acoustic shell, and state-of-the-art lighting and rigging.

Davidson was known for his commitment to the performing arts as an alumnus and a student, playing in the band and orchestra while enrolled at SU. He was also an active member of the university’s Kappa Sigma Fraternity chapter.

Davidson graduated from the university with a music degree in 1949 and performed as a part-time musician in the 1950s and 1960s. He became involved with the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra in Colorado after his retirement, joining its Board of Directors in 2002 and serving as the organization’s Vice President until his death in 2011.

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Davidson was an active alumnus with his alma mater long after his graduation, returning to Texas in 2007 at the age of 81 to help rebuild the campus’ Kappa Sigma fraternity house.

“We are deeply honored to celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Mr. Davidson, whose love for Southwestern and commitment to his alma mater, music, and the arts will now live on through the stage that bears his family’s name,” Vice President for University Relations Marie Muhvic said. “His generous bequest stands as a powerful testament to the lasting impact of planned giving. It has been a privilege to steward this gift and to come to know the remarkable family he honored—whose names will now inspire generations to come.”