Western Connecticut State University is recognizing a local company for their long-standing commitment to the university.  The Visual and Performing Arts Center's lobby will be called the Branson Lobby, named for Branson Ultrasonics Corp., a business of Emerson, and its employees. 

When the Center was in the planning stages in 2003, Branson made a substantial financial commitment to the project. 

The 130,000-square-foot center opened in August of 2014 with three distinct wings.  Theatre Arts, Music and Visual Arts all connect in the newly named Branson Lobby.  The facility has been ranked No. 9 on a list of the 25 Most Amazing Campus Arts Centers in the country, complementing another survey that lists Western's Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts program as one of the 10 best in the nation.

A ceremony will be held on June 3rd at 4 pm at the facility on the Westside campus. The unveiling of the naming plaque by University President John Clark and Branson President Joe Dillon will be followed by a reception.   Clark said involvement by corporations and the people who live in the community sustains the university and its students.

Among Branson Ultrasonics' other contributions to WCSU are its support of student scholarships and a program that will result in student artwork permanently displayed in the company's Danbury headquarters.

Dillon said in a statement that a lot of the welding technology Branson creates is focused on the challenge of bringing disparate pieces together into a strong and unified whole.  He notes that the lobby not only connects the pieces of the center, but also brings together diverse people from the community - artists, musicians, students, instructors and audiences - to learn, to enjoy and to be challenged and enlightened.

Branson is marking its 70th year in business.