ISSUED: 18 August 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The 14th annual Scarborough Society Gala was held August 14 at the Bavarian Inn to support Shepherd University’s Scarborough Library. Nearly 300 invited guests attending the black-tie event.
The presenting sponsors for the evening dinner and dance were BB&T Wealth Management, represented by Marty and Marlyn Keesecker of BB&T Wealth Management; Jefferson Security Bank, represented by Cindy and Steve Kitner; Valley Proteins, Inc., represented by Greg Snellings and Rebecca Wagner-Snellings; and United Bank, Inc., represented by Christopher and Samantha Colbert. Millers Electric, Inc./Professional Plumbing and Heating, LLC, represented by Robert Walters and Gina Miller Walters, sponsored the band, Souled Out. Other community sponsors included John Wolff of Capital Fiduciary Advisors, Jerry Williams of State Farm Insurance, Stephen Skinner of Skinner Law Firm, Bowles Rice LLP, PriceRomine PLLC, Smith Elliott Kearns and Company, LLC, McMorgan and Company, and Ours, Lawyer, and Lewis and Company.
Ramon A. Alvarez, president of the Scarborough Society, commended the gala’s sponsors in his remarks to the guests on Friday evening.
“The Scarborough Gala is continuing its 14-year tradition of being one of the larger social and fundraising events for the Shepherd University community,” he said. “This success is due to the very generous monetary support of some outstanding corporate citizens and several groups of volunteers who continue to amaze us with their creativity and high energy. We thank them for their dedication and hard work, which allows the Scarborough Society to pursue its mission to enhance the learning opportunities for Shepherd University’s students, faculty, and communities.”
The theme of this year’s event was the night circus, based on Erin Morgenstern’s 2011 best-selling novel of the same name. “The Night Circus” illustrates a magical, wandering circus that appears out of thin air and is only open at night. Encapsulating the atmosphere of Morgenstern’s fantastical tale, this year’s event featured two aerial performances by the artists of Reikis Studios of Shepherdstown and Sweet Spot Aerial Productions of Washington, D.C. Reikis Studios is a contemporary circus company devoted to developing dramatic concepts for venues. Utilizing theatrical storytelling and acrobatic artistry to create performances, Reikis Studios’ portfolio has been recognized as among the most original and creative translations of the modern American circus.
Among the guests enjoying these performances while supporting the Scarborough Library were table hosts from the regional community and their invited friends. The group was composed of university faculty, administrators, alumni, and community members, including Ray and Mary Alvarez, Jason Best and Sara Maene, Bill Blair and Susan Mentzer-Blair, Thomas Blondell and Sylvia Manning, Chris and Jody Carter, Enrico and Denise Caruso, Chris and Samantha Colbert, Jerry and Susanne Horner, Marty and Marlyn Keesecker, Steve and Cindy Kitner, Dick and Kathy Klein, Harrison and Vicki Lanham, Jeremiah and Christen Leiter, Adam and Diane Link, Al and Sara Lueck, Tony and Shelley Price, Dale and Laura Renninger, Greg Snellings and Rebecca Wagner-Snellings, Jim and Mary Staley, Robert Walters and Gina Miller-Walters, Paul and Lisa Welch, and John and Lisa Younis.
The Scarborough Society, sponsored by the Shepherd University Foundation, serves to support and strengthen the Shepherd University library system. Funds raised by the society provide information technology and other resources to Shepherd students, faculty, and friends.
Memberships in the organization are available on an annual basis and members’ names are engraved on a Wall of Honor located in the Scarborough Library. Members receive library cards with special privileges and are placed on invitation lists for library lectures, book signings, musical events, seminars, and receptions. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Scarborough Society is encouraged to call the Shepherd University Foundation Office at 304-876-5397 or 800-344-5231, extension 5397.
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