Yavapai College Performing Arts Center honored two of our community’s most cherished philanthropists on Sunday, when they re-named their live performance space The Perry and Sandy Massie Foundation Theatre.

The 1,100-seat performance space now celebrates the legacies of former Yavapai College Foundation President Perry Massie and his wife, Sandy, who have become tireless advocates for education in Yavapai County. “It was a surprise,” Perry Massie said of the honor. “We’re just normal people. We’ve just had a lot of success in our lifetimes. We feel if you can pay back the community you live in, it’s a good thing.”

A successful entrepreneur, Perry Massie founded cable television’s Outdoor Channel in 1984 and became its director of operations. When they moved to Prescott in 2004, the Massies were eager to make a positive impact on their new community. “We invest heavily in mentoring and education.” Perry said. “Both pay dividends down the road, when you can change the trajectory of someone’s life.”

The Massies were the driving forces behind Education Now! the Yavapai College scholarship program that makes higher education accessible for an estimated 25 students each year. In addition to their work with the College, Perry, Sandy and daughter, Georgia, have all taken part in a range of community projects that assist young people at every stage of development. These include Arizona Reads Now, a childhood literacy program with the Arizona Community Foundation and mentorship programs at Yavapai County’s Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Perry served as president of the Yavapai College Foundation from 2015 to 2018. Last year, he and eight other community leaders were awarded the title of Board Member Emeritus by the Foundation.

“It’s part of comprehensive plan,” Massie explained. “We identify what we can do to make the biggest impact on the community. We believe if you can mentor or educate, you give young people an open lane to succeed.”

The centerpiece of the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, the Perry and Sandy Massie Foundation Theatre is home to YCPAC’s 25-show season, as well as touring shows and satellite broadcasts, drawing an estimated 75,000 viewers every year. Yavapai College, which opened in 1968, provides quality higher learning, cultural resources and economic development support for the diverse populations of Yavapai County. The College offers academic programs to students at facilities in Prescott, the Verde Valley, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Sedona and the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) near the Prescott Airport.