Scholarship Benefit Set for Oct. 15

The Penn State McKeesport Advisory Board will host its second annual All That?s Jazz scholarship benefit on Saturday, October 15, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in Penn State McKeesport?s Student Community Center. Proceeds will be added to the Penn State McKeesport Scholarship Fund.

Last year?s event raised $21,050 for student scholarships, allowing the campus to provide scholarship aid to an additional 22 students. The Advisory Board has set a goal of $42,100 for this year?s benefit, double the amount raised last year.

Event Chairs Nancy Seifert and Nancy Traina and the All That?s Jazz Committee are planning an exciting evening. This year?s musical entertainment will feature Latin Jazz performed by the Carnegie Mellon University Jazz Ensemble under the direction of David Pellow. The featured vocalist is Lily Abreu, one of Brazil's greatest cultural assets. She is a versatile artist with numerous appearances as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras and chamber ensembles in France, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, the United States and Brazil. She has performed with the Pittsburgh Opera in productions of Faust, Carmen, and The Flying Dutchman. She is featured in the CD Plays Well With Others recorded with the renowned Jazz trio White Tie Group and will soon release a CD of Brazilian Popular Songs with the Grammy nominated string quartet Cuarteto Latinoamericano.

Guests will also enjoy delicious Latin American food, a Live Auction and the Blue & White ?mystery? auction.

Approximately three-quarters of Penn State students receive some sort of financial aid (including loans) ?up from 66% in 1995.  About one-half of the students enrolled at the campus represent the first generation in their family to attend college and many depend on grants, loans, and scholarships to pay for their education.

?Scholarship funds have become increasingly important to our students and their families. These funds can make the difference between students staying in college or having to make some hard decisions about their futures,? said Penn State McKeesport Chancellor Curtiss E. Porter, Ph.D.

Assisting Co-Chairs Nancy Seifert and Nancy Traina in leadership roles are: Ralph J. Papa, president of the Penn State McKeesport Advisory Board, who is chairing the Sponsorship Committee, aided by Joseph M. Hohman, vice chair. Jerry W. Martz and David J. Pasternak are co-chairing the Auction Committee. These volunteers are supported by Advisory Board members, community leaders, alumni, friends, and faculty and staff, all working to make the event a success.

Honorary Committee members include: Arthur L. Baldwin, Suzy and Jim Broadhurst, Esther Bush, Franco Harris, Thomas Hollander, George L. Miles, Jr., Tony Mowad, The Honorable Daniel Onorato, Sylvester Pace, William E. Strickland, Jr. and Doris Carson Williams.

Underwriters of All That?s Jazz include Hosts Citizens Bank, Nancy Seifert, and Nancy and John Traina; and Benefactors Elizabeth Carbide Die Co., Inc., General Trade Corporation, Mark R. Gruskin, John and Jean Neel, Resource Development Management, Inc., H.B. South Printers, and UPMC McKeesport. Sponsors also include event Patrons Alpern Rosenthal, Mrs. Nadine Bognar, Judy and Tom Bruney, Directed Electronics, Eat ?n Park Hospitality Group, Edward and Dorothy Datemasch, Jendoco Construction Company, George and Ann Kemp, John Keyes of Tube City-IMS, Dr. and Mrs. Michael Kutsenkow, Chris and Carolyn Maricondi, Mon Yough Chamber of Commerce, Vic and Patty Orler, Larry Ostermayer, Ralph J. and Ruth Anne Papa, Bill and Lydi Poller, Curtiss E. Porter, Riverside Care Center, Gary L. and Sharen A. Thomas, and Pat and Jay Winter.

As part of the evening?s fundraising activities, the All That?s Jazz Committee is planning a live auction and making available for purchase mystery boxes that will contain surprise items.

The public is invited to join in the festivities to help support the Penn State McKeesport Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $65 each or $500 for ten, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Information on tickets, sponsorships and the auctions can be obtained by calling the Penn State McKeesport Office of Institutional Advancement at 412-675-9048.