Due to the overwhelming support shown by the UR academic community, efforts to raise $20,000 to help the victims of the recent terrorist attack in New York City were successful.
Throughout the past week, a booth was set up in Wilson Commons where all could donate money to the cause. The endeavor was led by senior and Students? Association President John LaBoda, junior and LaBoda?s Chief of Staff Lonny Mallach, senior and former SA President Meng Wang and senior Andrea Miglani.
The week?s events included a performance at Drama House, which showcased the creative talents of various musicians from the UR campus, including the creative duo of Cobi Waxman and Callid Keefe, as well as the rock band 7 Energy.
One band had to play outside on the fraternity quad after UR Security found one of its members with an alcoholic beverage and asked him to leave the house. Overall, the event raised about $500.
The grand finale of the week was a pair of benefit concerts held on Friday and Saturday nights. They included performances by the Yellowjackets, Vocal Point, the Midnight Ramblers, In Between the Lines, the Strong Jugglers and a guest performance by In Acchord, an a cappella group from Pittsburgh.
The entire event proved to be a great success, but behind all the laughter still loomed the omnipresent tension created by the attacks. Friday night, Dean of the College William Green opened the concert by expressing his sorrow for such acts and reminded students to continue reaching out.
?We?re living in extraordinary times and the lives we experience today are radically different then the lives we experienced last week,? Green said. ?There isn?t a person in this room who doesn?t feel some sense of grief. In the 27 years I have been here, I?ve never been more proud of the students of this university.?
University Vice President, General Secretary and Special Adviser to the President Paul Burgett thanked students for their extensive efforts and compassion during such horrific times. Vice Provost and Dean of Students at The College Mary Beth Cooper reflected on the importance of family in such times, and expressed her admiration of the student body. President Thomas Jackson, who did not appear at either concert, sent a letter which was printed in the program.
LaBoda, the primary organizer, expressed his countless thanks to all those involved, including the Resident Advisors, D?Lion Organization, Interfaith Chapel, the Campus Times, Drama House, students, performers, organizers, event staff and the Music Interest Floor.
Sophomore and president of MIF Ian Harwood said that ?the floor was very hurt by the tragedy? and wanted to do all it could to make the benefit concerts a great success. MIF ushered the concerts.
Among the many businesses that donated money to the cause were Bruegger?s Bagels, Denny?s, The Distillery and the Elmwood Inn.
Geoffrey Rosenburger represented the American Red Cross on Saturday night and accepted a check for ?20,000+? dollars. He thanked students for the generous offer and pleaded to those who had not given blood to call the Rochester division of the American Red Cross to make an appointment.
Students are happy with the way in which their peers have united.
?I?m really happy the way the entire campus is coming together,? sophomore Sarah Hammer said.
Marisa Antos-Fallon, a member of Vocal Point, said that the ?group had a lot of fun and was happy to perform for such a great cause.?
?The student body?s response to this effort has been tremendous,? said senior Samay Ghee-wala, a member of the improv troup.
Michel can be reached at kmichel@campustimes.org.
