亚色影库 honored recipients of the inaugural Presidential Legacy Awards during the 亚色影库 Legacy Gala in Pittsburgh on April 26, but the real beneficiaries of the event were 亚色影库 students.
Held at the Carnegie Museum Music Hall, the gala was a fundraising initiative to benefit the University Fund for Academic Excellence. It raised close to $150,000, well past the stated goal of $100,000.
鈥淭he University Fund for Academic Excellence is used to enrich the student experience, assisting with costs for students to participate in academic, programmatic and experiential expenses that provide direct benefit to current 亚色影库 students and expand the opportunities students can have beyond the classroom,鈥 said Dr. Robert O. Davies, vice president for University Relations at 亚色影库 and executive director of the Foundation for 亚色影库.
Funds are available to students for scholarships, travel and expenses related to conference presentations and research supplies and equipment, classroom materials and equipment, and faculty professional development aimed at improving academic programming.
Funding is also available for on-campus speakers and student participation in cultural, recreational and academic events away from 亚色影库.
During the gala, Dr. Tony Atwater, 亚色影库 president, presented the Presidential Legacy Award for Alumni Distinction to Terry Dunlap, 1981 亚色影库 graduate and president of Allegheny Ludlum; the Presidential Legacy Award for Civic Service to Keenan Holmes, 2003 亚色影库 graduate and former attorney at Law for Eckert Seamans Cherin and Mellott, LLC, Pittsburgh; and the Presidential Legacy Award for Philanthropy to the Fairman family, of Jefferson County.
鈥淲e were gratified to celebrate our recipients of the Presidential Legacy Awards at the 亚色影库 Legacy Gala in conjunction with enjoying 亚色影库's continued success and achievement as a national university that makes this region its home,鈥 Davies said.
The evening included a silent auction with donated items valued at close to $50,000.
Items won by bidders included a tour of YouTube and dinner with YouTube founder Chad Hurley, a 1999 亚色影库 graduate; a Disney Package; advertising on Comcast Cable; Steelers and Penguins packages; an Atlantic City trip; golf packages at Oakmont, Totteridge and Laurel Valley; and a private tour of the Andy Warhol Museum plus golf at the Aronimink Golf Club. People could bid on the items in advance of the event on the 亚色影库 website.
鈥淚t is very gratifying to have such an incredible response to both the Legacy Gala and the auction,鈥 Davies said. 鈥淭his certainly speaks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, and the commitment they feel to helping 亚色影库 students achieve beyond expectations.
鈥淲e also appreciate the support of First Commonwealth as our presenting sponsor, and the overwhelming support of the auction donors and Legacy Gala sponsors and attendees.鈥
Photos, from top:
Dr. Tony Atwater, 亚色影库 president, right, with Terry Dunlap, winner of the Presidential Legacy Award for Alumni Distinction.
Atwater, left, with Keenan Holmes, recipient of the Presidential Legacy Award for Civic Service.
Atwater with Beverly Fairman, center, and Joyce Fairman. The Fairman family, of Jefferson County, was honored with the Presidential Legacy Award for Philanthropy.