APRIL 16, 2014
WWW.THEGUARDIANONLINE.COM
News Wright State takes steps to preserve woodlands
Pg 3.
Opinion Geese: Spring’s Scrooge Pg 4.
ISSUE NO. 28 VOL. 50
Wright Life Photo Wright State prepares for World War I centennial ceremonies Pg 8.
ArtsGala Pg 6.
Sports Womens Tennis Pg 9.
ArtsGala scholarships provide career launching pad for budding artists
Photo by Andrew Smith Over 700 people packed the hallways of the Creative Arts Center for ArtsGala Saturday night, presented by the College of Liberal Arts. All of the proceeds raised by ArtsGala go towards funding scholarships for arts students.
Andrew Smith Sports Editor Smith.1026@wright.edu
N
ext month, senior acting and musical theater major Jon Hacker will pack his bags and leave Dayton, Ohio for the bright lights of Broadway and New York City. Hacker said he has been invited to final callbacks for the Tony Award-winning musical “Newsies,” which will begin a national tour this fall, covering 25 cities over 43 weeks. Such a transition is often associated with a hefty price, and because of Hacker’s ArtsGala
scholarship awarded by Barnes & Noble, it is a price he can now afford. “Basically, I was paying my way through college during my first few years and once these gracious scholarships came my way, they just helped me immensely start a life, because I want to move to New York eventually,” Hacker said. “Every little bit helps all of us and it just helps us with our craft and we couldn’t be more thankful.” Acting, singing and dancing was not Hacker’s first passion. At Edgewood High School in Trenton, Ohio, Hacker played strong safety for the Cougars. After some
urging from his friends, Hacker dove headfirst into the school’s theater department, trading the gridiron for the stage. After spending a year at Miami University in Oxford, Hacker came to Wright State, where he said the faculty became “like family” to him. Hacker represents one of several fine and performing arts students whose career aspirations have received a financial boost from an ArtsGala scholarship. The money that funds the scholarships comes from the ArtsGala event itself, which celebrated its 15th year Saturday evening at WSU’s Creative Arts Center.
Wright State College of Liberal Arts Dean Kristin Sobolik said ArtsGala began as a quaint, yet important event, and has transformed into a must-see attraction for the Dayton community. “It started small, but impactful, I would say, because it has grown ever since,” Sobolik said. “This year we’re going to have a record-breaking year with over 700 people here, which is over 60 than what we had for last year’s record-breaking year. And all that means more scholarship money for our students.” Since its inception, ArtsGala has raised over $1.6 million in student scholarships. The black tie-
optional affair annually rolls out a literal red carpet to its guests, featuring premium alcohol and food options, complimentary portraits and a silent auction that allows patrons to bid on items ranging in price from around $50 to over $1,000. New events at this year’s ArtsGala included a wine and bourbon tasting, a cigar and sports tent and an experimental gallery, where guests sampled martinis and observed sculptures being made. ArtsGala guests were also
See ARTSGALA Pg 7