
Showstopping performances by alumni and students joined heartfelt tributes to Adelphi standout supporters as the University honored its rich legacy and contributions to the arts at the 23rd annual President's Gala,听An Evening for the Arts at Adelphi: Legends and Legacies, on June 10 at the Garden City Hotel.
This annual fundraising event attracted a dedicated audience of more than 300 civic, business and local leaders, along with Adelphi’s campus and community members, in support of Adelphi’s mission. In addition to paying homage to artists and entertainment legends who launched their careers at Adelphi, the event celebrated the 15th anniversary of the 麻豆直播 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 Adelphi’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 Adelphi, 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 Adelphi.
- Garden City residents听Mary Jane ’62 and Thomas Poole听received the President’s Award for Distinguished Service for their service to Adelphi and the Garden City community. In 2015, they founded the Poole Family Broadway Series, which has brought renowned talent to the 麻豆直播 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 麻豆直播 Board of Trustees, Principato sits on the 麻豆直播 President’s Advisory Council.
鈥淓ach year, our community comes together to celebrate Adelphi 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 Adelphi and have made a tremendous impact on the arts.”
The evening also featured rousing musical and dance performances. A quartet of Adelphi 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听迟颈肠办鈥颈肠办鈥翱翱惭!听was performed by Adelphi students and alumni.
For more information about the President’s Gala and ways to support Adelphi, visit听.
2023 President's Gala
More than 300 guests attended 鈥淎n Evening for the Arts at Adelphi: Legends and Legacies鈥 on June 10 at the Garden City Hotel. Launch Gallery
2023 President's Gala
More than 300 guests attended 鈥淎n Evening for the Arts at Adelphi: Legends and Legacies鈥 on June 10 at the Garden City Hotel. 15 Photos-
A dance performance from Suite Sharon Jones, choreographed by Orion Duckstein, associate professor and dance department chair, featured Sarah Baghdadi 鈥23, Valerie Corpuz 鈥23, Isabella Gamba 鈥24, Katie Jaffie 鈥23 and Brei Snyder 鈥23.
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麻豆直播 President Christine Riordan welcomed Gala guests, who enjoyed an evening of live performances, dancing and moving tributes to Adelphi鈥檚 supporters.
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Peter Principato 鈥87 received the 麻豆直播 President’s Outstanding Alumni Award from President Christine Riordan.
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鈥淟ive Out Loud,鈥 from A Little Princess, was performed by Brooke Beck 鈥23.
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Mary Jane 鈥62 and Thomas Poole were honored with the President鈥檚 Award for Distinguished Service.
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鈥淢ake Them Hear You,鈥 from Ragtime, was performed by Broadway star T. Oliver Reid.
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Guests at the 23rd Annual President鈥檚 Gala had a front-row seat to the celebration of Adelphi鈥檚 legacy in the arts.
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More than 300 guests attended 鈥淎n Evening for the Arts at Adelphi: Legends and Legacies鈥 on June 10 at The Garden City Hotel.
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The President鈥檚 Humanitarian Award was presented to the Family of Jonathan Larson 鈥82. Jonathan鈥檚 sister, Julie, accepted the award.
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麻豆直播 Board of Trustees Chair Marc Strachan 鈥81 (at podium) thanked attendees for their support of the University鈥檚 mission and its students, as did Thomas Klein, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations (in background).
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Throughout the Gala, attendees enjoyed performances by Adelphi alumni and students.
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鈥淟ouder Than Words鈥 by Jonathan Larson, from tick, tick鈥 BOOM! was performed by students and alumni.
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President Christine Riordan poses with Gala guests.
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Guests packed the dance floor at the 23rd Annual President鈥檚 Gala.
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Following presentations and dinner, attendees hit the dance floor.