Limited Seats Remain for Pitt-Bradford 50th Anniversary Gala

A limited number of seats remain for the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s 50th Anniversary Fundraising Gala Oct. 4.

Proceeds from the evening, which will feature dinner, entertainment and a silent auction, will benefit the Marilyn Horne Archive Collection Project.

The gala, which is expected to sell out, will be hosted by the Office of the President and co-hosted by the Pitt-Bradford Advisory Board and the Pitt-Bradford Alumni Association Board at the university. Seats are $125 and may be purchased by calling the Office of Institutional Advancement at Pitt-Bradford at 814-362-5091.

“Undertaking a project of this magnitude is quite a challenge for our campus and our relatively sparsely populated region,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, Pitt-Bradford president. “However, what has seemingly occurred throughout our campus’s history has occurred once again: Bradford and surrounding communities have rallied to support the effort to establish a Marilyn Horne Exhibit Center with ticket purchases, generous sponsorships and exquisite auction items.”

Jill Ballard, executive director of Institutional Advancement and managing director of the Bradford Educational Foundation, said, “We are grateful for the amazing response that we’ve received from our community, alumni, faculty and staff for this event. People want to help celebrate our proud history, but, most importantly, are keenly interested in learning more about our vibrant future.”

Opera legend and Bradford native Marilyn Horne has made a commitment to the university to donate her personal archives and those of her former foundation. Horne is expected to be a special guest for the evening and speak about the archive.

Also during the event, Albert Filoni, president of MacLachlan, Cornelius and Filoni Architects Inc. of Pittsburgh, will unveil preliminary renderings of the display space for the planned downtown Marilyn Horne Exhibit Center.

Following dinner and presentations, there will be two brief recitals featuring soprano Stephanie Welge of Ellicottville, N.Y., and New York City bass DeAndre Simmons in Blaisdell Hall. Manu Gajanan will also entertain on piano during the dessert reception, and Shawn Murray Photography will host a 1963 photo booth.

Items available for bid during the auction include miniature versions of the university’s new bronze panther statue by Bradford native and Western artist David Hodges; an overnight stay at Keswick Hall at Monticello, Va., and a two-night stay and four rounds of golf at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort.

Co-sponsor of the event is Saber Healthcare Group. Other sponsors are Minard Run Oil Co., American Refining Group, Northwest Savings Bank, Zippo Manufacturing Co., Kessel Construction Inc., Metz Culinary Management, Carl E. Swanson & Sons Inc., Dr. Kimberly S. Young and Mr. James E. O’Mara ’96, Bradford Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group, Dr. Luis and Andrea Gonzalez and Joseph M. Marasco, attorney.

Photo of Marilyn Horne by Alan Hancock

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