On Thursday, the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom will be rededicated during a concert featuring the NIU jazz ensemble and guest artists Dennis Mackrel and Paul Ellington.

In a $970,000 project, the ballroom was remodeled from May until Oct. 1.

Paul Ellington is the grandson of the late Duke Ellington, who had performed his final “full” concert in the ballroom on March 20, 1974.

Duke Ellington is a jazz legend that received several awards, including Grammys and an Academy Award nomination.

Paul Ellington will perform “Mood Indigo” with the NIU Jazz Ensemble during the concert. Ellington also will receive a commemorative picture of the plaque that was originally dedicated in 1980. During remodeling, the plaque was relocated to the east doors outside the ballroom.

Ellen Andersen, director of special events, said the rededication portion of the evening will last about 15 minutes, during the intermission. NIU President John Peters and other guests will speak, including Becky Mandolini, who served as president of the Holmes Center Board in 1980 when the ballroom was originally dedicated.

Also speaking will be a to-be-determined representative from Finance and Facilities, who will discuss financial aspects of the remodeling.

Mitch Kielb, acting director of the Holmes Student Center, spoke highly about the renovation.

“Nothing had been done in that ballroom, basically since it was built in the 1960s,” Kielb said.

Kielb said the acoustics in the room were very bad.

“They pulled miles and miles of wire,” he said. “The audio-visual needs should be met for pretty much anybody now.”

Anderson said the renovation was nice because it is the first experience most people have of NIU, whether that’s at orientation, open house or a concert.

“It’s the front door of the university,” she said. “It’s the first contact most people have with the university.”