Annual Gala raises a record $51,000 for New Paltz scholarship endowment

NEW PALTZ – Now in its 8 year, The Gala: Celebrating New Paltz raised a record $51,000 and attracted more than 230 guests, including New Paltz faculty, College Council and Foundation Board members, and community, leaders. This year’s gala honored, Barbara Hardgrave, Professor Emerita, department of music and community volunteer, on Sunday, Nov. 21, at the Mohonk Mountain House.

Proceeds from The Gala are added to a scholarship endowment for students from Ulster, Dutchess and Orange counties attending SUNY New Paltz. In the last 8 years, the Gala has raised more than $330,000.

The Gala receives sponsorship support and auction items from local businesses in New Paltz and its surrounding communities. This year’s Gala scholarship recipient Emily Heimbender ’13 a psychology major from New Paltz thanked guests. Gala Committee Co-chairs, Robert Leduc, of Mohonk Mountain House and Joyce Minard, President of the New Paltz Regional Chamber, welcomed and thanked guests and Interim President Donald P. Christian delivered the opening remarks and introduced Barbara Hardgrave.

Hardgrave treated guests to a musical performance that included selections from “Tutti Fior” (from Madama Butterfly); “The Lorelei,” by George and Ira Gershwin; “Ages Ago”, words and music by Vernon Duje; “Have a Little Priest,” from Sweeney Todd; and ” I’m Still Here” from Follies. A portion of the evening’s proceeds also went to the Barbara Hardgrave Voice Scholarship. Accompanying Barbara were Pianist Ruthanne Schempf, Baritone Roger Roloff and Soprano Claudia Cummings.

Major Sponsors included: Alpha Apple; Campus Auxiliary Services; C2G Environmental Consultants; Key Bank; M&T Bank; Mohonk Mountain House; The Kempner Corporation; Ulster Savings Bank; Viking Industries and more. Keeping pace with the College’s efforts to “go green,” a “Virtual Journal”, complimented by a smaller printed takeaway program, was introduced. Many sponsors took advantage of this new form of journal advertising, which projected and continuously rotated vivid color ads on a highly visible multiplex screen.

Music was provided by Bill’s Toupée and photography by Michael Gold: The Corporate Image.

The Ninth Annual Gala: Celebrating New Paltz will be held Sunday, November 20, 2011 at the Mohonk Mountain House.

For further highlights, additional sponsors/web links and pictures from this memorable evening, please visit www.newpaltz.edu/gala.