UC Irvine Alumni Stars Showcased at October 3 Medal Dinner

Among the UC Irvine artists returning to the campus to perform at the Medal event are Jenn Colella, Max Haymer and Stephanie Powell. Colella (above) is fresh from a celebrated performance at the Kennedy Center. Stephanie Powell (below) is perhaps best known to Southern California audiences for her performance in the Los Angeles production of The Lion King.

Star-studded event boosts scholarships for students

 

Celebrated artists who call UC Irvine home will perform at a major event at the campus’ Bren Event Center on October 3.

 

“A Celebration of Stars -- the 2009 Medal Awards” presents the university’s most prestigious honor, the Medal, to four honorees.

 

The Medal confers lifelong recognition on those who have made exceptional contributions to the university’s mission of teaching, research and public service.

 

This year, UC Irvine alumni who have gone on to perform on Broadway and in Hollywood, will return to the campus to perform and honor this year’s Medal winners and help raise funds for scholarships and fellowships for UC Irvine undergraduate and graduate students.

 

“We’re fortunate to live in a prosperous community, but many of our students come from far less affluent backgrounds,” said Chancellor Michael Drake.  “It’s heartening to see some of our most famous alumni join with our community to help support students in this unique way.”

 

The event is organized by the University of California, Irvine Foundation and is one of the oldest traditions on campus.

 

“This always is a meaningful event in Orange County each year and the largest fundraising event for our campus,” said James Mazzo, chairman of the UC Irvine Foundation. “This year’s event takes on special significance because now, more than ever we’re focused on generating additional support for our students.”

 

A Celebration of Stars – The 2009 Medal Awards, will be held from 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at UC Irvine’s Bren Events Center and is chaired by alumnus and foundation trustee Gary Singer (’74) and his wife, Melanie.

 

Proceeds go to support both need and merit-based student scholarships. For tickets call 866-YOU-4UCI.

 

Receiving the UCI Medal this year are:

 

• Anthony James, a Distinguished Professor of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at UCI

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• Philanthropist Fariborz Maseeh, a worldwide expert in micro-electro-mechanical systems

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• William Parker, chair of UCI’s Department of Physics and Astronomy and former vice chancellor for research and dean of graduate studies

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• Laurel Wilkening, third chancellor of UCI, and a renowned planetary scientist and expert on comets and meteorites who served on several NASA committees and boards during the 1990s

 

Among the UC Irvine artists returning to the campus to perform at the Medal event are Jenn Colella, Max Haymer and Stephanie Powell. Colella is fresh from a celebrated performance at the Kennedy Center where she was featured in the Washington D.C. national spring gala honoring her as among the most influential women in the American Arts. She starred on Broadway in Urban Cowboy and High Fidelity and numerous off-Broadway productions. She holds an MFA in acting from UC Irvine.

 

Max Haymer was introduced to jazz piano at the age of 14 and was later deemed a Rising Star by the Orange County Performing Arts Center. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s of Music degree at UC Irvine. He was Musical Director for Urinetown the Musical in June 2007, and he is currently the Musical Director for Musical Theatre of Connecticut. In 2008, Haymer released his debut album, “Pickpocket Witness.”

 

Stephanie Powell is perhaps best known to Southern California audiences for her performance in the Los Angeles production of The Lion King. She is a dance professor at Long Beach City College and is a certified instructor of the New York City Ballet Workout who has taught dance throughout the world. She earned her MFA in Dance with distinction from the UC Irvine and has presented her scholarly research on African American women in ballet at the Congress on Research.

 

UC Irvine student artists will also premiere a new song, “Creation/ Be My Light” from “e-$cape”, an original musical by Scott Guy and Nick DeGregorio, featuring Taylor Stephenson, Ian Parmenter, Lital Abrahams, and Skye Bronfenbrenner, Drama B.F.A. in Musical theater. M.F.A. soprano Care’n Chato, will perform “O mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s famed opera “Gianni Schicchi.”

 

The event will feature a reception and formal dinner, medalist tributes and talent from the Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Past medalists, who include Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and industry leaders, also will be highlighted. Event proceeds support key programs, including Regents’ Scholarships and graduate fellowships.