成人影片

This annual fundraising event attracted a dedicated audience of more than 300 civic, business and local leaders, along with 成人影片’s campus and community members, in support of 成人影片’s mission. In addition to paying homage to artists and entertainment legends who launched their careers at 成人影片, the event celebrated the 15th anniversary of the 成人影片 University Performing Arts Center.

This year’s gala raised $2.36 million for arts programming, student scholarships and initiatives that advance the goals of the University’s听Momentum 2听strategic plan, which launched last fall.

“It was a wonderful evening celebrating 成人影片’s history of excellence in the arts with our community,” said President Christine M. Riordan. 鈥淲e are grateful for our generous benefactors, sponsors, donors, alumni and supporters who help us pursue our strategic initiatives and continue to inspire diversity, connectivity and community engagement through the arts.”

The gala also included three award presentations in recognition of the honorees’ support for 成人影片, its students and the community at large:

• The听Family of Jonathan Larson ’82, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and composer of the Broadway musical听Rent听and听tick, tick … BOOM!, received the President’s Humanitarian Award. A retrospective video of Larson’s life included Lin-Manuel Miranda, who shared the impact that Larson had on his career. The Larson family, represented at the Gala by Julie Larson McCollum, endowed the Jonathan Larson Scholarship Fund with a $1 million gift, which was matched by the University. The $2 million Jonathan Larson Scholarship Endowment will support annual scholarships for students who study theater at 成人影片.

• Garden City residents听Mary Jane ’62 and Thomas Poole听received the President’s Award for Distinguished Service for their service to 成人影片 and the Garden City community. In 2015, they founded the Poole Family Broadway Series, which has brought renowned talent to the 成人影片 University Performing Arts Center, including Tony Award recipient and Kennedy Center honoree Chita Rivera, Rent performer Anthony Rapp and Emmy-winning actress Susan Lucci.

• Emmy-award winning producer听Peter Principato ’87听received the President’s Outstanding Alumni Award. Principato, who supports the Principato ’87 Moving Image Arts Scholarship, is the founding partner of Artists First, a talent management and production company focused on actors, writers, directors and producers in film, television and digital media. A Garden City native and previously a member of the 成人影片 University Board of Trustees, Principato sits on the 成人影片 University President’s Advisory Council.

鈥淓ach year, our community comes together to celebrate 成人影片 and support our goal of transforming students’ lives,” said Thomas A. Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations. 鈥淚’m grateful for the exceptional generosity of our loyal supporters who made this year’s event so successful. Our three honorees exhibit the spirit of 成人影片 and have made a tremendous impact on the arts.”

The evening also featured rousing musical and dance performances. A quartet of 成人影片 students and alumni danced to an excerpt from听Suite Sharon Jones, Brooke Beck ’23 sung 鈥淟ive Out Loud” from听A Little Princess,听and Bistro Award-winner T. Oliver Reid performed 鈥淢ake Them Hear You” from听Ragtime. An emotional rendition of 鈥淟ouder Than Words” from听迟颈肠办鈥�t颈肠办鈥�B翱翱惭!听was performed by 成人影片 students and alumni.

For more information about the President’s Gala and ways to support 成人影片, visit听.