Philanthropy
concert series raises awareness and scholarship funds
David Knauss, graduate assistant in music education, made an appearance as J.S. Bach at the School of Music’s Bach-Around-the-Clock on March 17.
During the spring 2006 semester, the School of Music launched the BRAVO! Concerts, a series of concerts and special events intended to increase awareness of the school in the local community and to raise money for music scholarships.
In January, faculty ensembles performed in three separate concerts at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center (see below for listing of performers).
Later in the semester, faculty and students joined for several special events in Esber Recital Hall. These unique performances were intended to attract individuals who may not have attended a School of Music concert in the past. The events included a Mardi Gras Concert with the Centre Dimensions student ensemble and faculty soloists; Bach-Around-the-Clock, 12 hours of music by and commentary about composers named Bach; and an April Fool’s Concert featuring School of Music faculty “fooling” around with unusual music and surprising instruments. In addition, a special concert featured French musician Francis Vidal doing organ improvisation.
According to Sue Haug, director of the School of Music, community response to the BRAVO! performances has been outstanding. “We have loved performing in the intimate setting of the Downtown Theatre Center, and audience members also loved attending concerts there, a space that is perfect for chamber music,” she says. “The Mardi Gras Concert was a big success, and we were grateful to President Spanier for his participation [on washboard].”
Haug plans for the concert series to continue, possibly with a different theme each year. –AMM
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The following School of Music faculty members and ensembles performed as part of the BRAVO! Concert Series in January:
Saturday, January 21: Timothy Hurtz (oboe), Daryl Durran (bassoon), Steven Smith (piano), Norman Spivey (baritone) and Sue Haug (piano)
Friday, January 27: Pennsylvania Quintet (Eleanor Armstrong, Timothy Hurtz, Smith Toulson, Daryl Durran, Lisa Bontrager), plus Max Zorin (violin), Sue Haug (piano), Rob Nairn (double bass) and Dea Baba (piano)
Saturday, January 28: Castalia Trio (Marylène Dosse, James Lyon, Kim Cook), featuring the Dvorak “Dumky” TrioNew development staff
The College of Arts and Architecture recently welcomed two new staff members to its development team: Elizabeth Wilson, associate director, and Elizabeth King, assistant director.
Liz Wilson brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing and direct fundraising to the college. After graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Lock Haven University, she came to Penn State in 1974 to pursue a master’s degree in art history. Wilson’s professional career at Penn State began in 1981 in marketing, merchandising and public relations. After several years, she joined the staff of the Penn State Alumni Association, where she worked in marketing, membership and corporate relations positions until moving to the University’s development side in 1998. With her philosophy of giving back to the University through the work that she does, transitioning to development was just the next step in her career.
When not busy soliciting donors, Wilson travels, gardens and takes photographs. She is interested in historic preservation, and she and her husband are in the process of restoring their home, built in 1816. Drawing on her academic background, she teaches a course in art history through Penn State Continuing and Distance Education. Wilson also co-teaches a class on digital photography, art history and visual perception in the Penn State Elderhostel Program.
Wilson says fundraising in academe is important and fulfilling work. “It is so much fun meeting alumni and donors who are as interested in the College of Arts and Architecture as I am,” she says. “I think to achieve the support of education is one of the best things anyone can do.”
Liz King comes to Penn State from Sarasota, Fla., and brings eight years of experience in fundraising for various music organizations. As corporate and special events officer for the Sarasota Opera Association, she was responsible for raising over $290,000 in revenue for the Winter Opera Festival. 
She previously served as individual giving officer for the association, in which she was the primary interface with the opera’s nearly 2,000 individual donors. Other professional positions included serving as manager of corporate giving for Florida Grand Opera and major gifts associate and assistant to the director of development for New York City Opera. In addition, she was general manager and a member of Cantori New York, a chamber choir founded in 1984.
King holds undergraduate degrees in viola performance and public relations from Syracuse University. A native of New Jersey, Liz is no stranger to cold weather, or to Happy Valley. She used to visit the area often with her husband, Todd, who has family here. Todd is another new face in the college, serving as technical director and instructor in the School of Theatre.
Liz says she was attracted to a development position at Penn State because she could be proactive in soliciting prospects on their own turf—a change from her previous jobs, where she typically met with donors at the opera house. “In my job here, I have been given the opportunity to meet people in their element … where they have achieved success in their career and life,” she says. “It puts a really different perspective on the relationship. Being in their office or home, you can visually see what Penn State means to them.” –FWMdevelopment news
Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, the following awards, endowments and scholarships have been established in the last year:
Oliver Smith American Design Award
Established by Dan Carter, director of the School of Theatre, to honor Oliver Smith (’39 B.A. Liberal Arts), a theatrical scenic designer, educator and producer, and to recognize a well-rounded, multi-talented student who is enrolled in the School of Theatre. Consideration will be given to full-time students in the School of Theatre with an outstanding academic record.
Keith E. and Linda A. Forrest Trustee Scholarship
Established by Linda A. and Keith E. Forrest (’69 B.S. EMS) to recognize undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Arts and Architecture who have demonstrated a financial need, with first preference given to students who are majoring in music (either an education or performance major) and with a concentration in voice, strings, brass, woodwinds or percussion.
Donald W. Hamer Trustee Scholarship
Established by the Hamer Foundation to recognize undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Arts and Architecture.
Eugene W. Lederer Endowment for the School of Music
Established by Eugene W. Lederer (’42 B.S. Music Ed.) to provide program support for the School of Music, including but not limited to a master class and/or lecture demonstrations in instrumental music.
Gregory J. and Terri E. Scott Trustee Scholarship
Established by Terri E. and Gregory J. Scott (’73 B.Arch.) to recognize undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Arts and Architecture.
Gregory J. and Terri E. Scott Annual Program Support Fund for the Department of Architecture
Established by the Scotts to provide program support for the Department of Architecture.
David P. Stone Trustee Scholarship
Established by David P. Stone (’67 B.S. Engineering) to recognize undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Arts and Architecture.
