Appearances of Notable Alumni and Friends On-Stage, Including Performances by Neil Diamond, Elena Shaddow, Peter Lockyer, and Todd Alsup
The Tribute, “NYU Alumni & Friends Salute the Doc,” Will Take Place in The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, March 23
New York University President Emeritus L. Jay Oliva is celebrating his 50th anniversary at NYU this year and colleagues, students, alumni, and friends will commemorate the milestone with a benefit salute for him at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on March 23 at 8 P.M.
The highlight of the evening will be a stage presentation featuring appearances by notable alumni and friends, including singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, Broadway stars Elena Shaddow (Light in the Piazza) and Peter Lockyer (South Pacific), singer-songwriter Todd Alsup, NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, and sportscaster Kenny Albert. A glittering reception will follow in the Rosenthal Pavilion of NYU’s Kimmel Center for Student Life.
Oliva has played an extraordinary role in the history and academic reputation of NYU. He began his career at the University as a professor of Russian history. He was president of NYU from 1991 to 2002 after spending more than three decades in the academic and administrative positions at the University: dean of the Heights Colleges; vice president for Academic Affairs under President John Sawhill; provost under acting president Ivan Bennett; and chancellor under president John Brademas.
Today, Oliva remains deeply committed to the growth and development of the University. He is a staunch supporter of the NYU sports teams and even an active participant in numerous student theatrical productions. He is co-founder of the George H. Heyman, Jr. Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising and he also serves as executive producer and chair of the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.
The honoree will be presented with a special gift named in his honor: The L. Jay Oliva Endowment Fund was inspired by a lead gift from the Skirball Foundation. The Fund was established to help ensure a permanent programming fund at the Skirball Center. Tickets for the benefit start at $50 and $12 for NYU students. For more information and tickets, call Patrice Fealy at 212.998.2332. All tickets sales to this special tribute to the “Doc” will benefit the L. Jay Oliva Endowment Fund thanks to the sponsorship of CBS Building Services.
The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York University, is the premier venue for the presentation of cultural and performing arts events at NYU and lower Manhattan. Located at 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South), it provides a large-scale, professional performance space for university productions and events and live professional performances from around the world. The 860-seat theater opened in October 2003 and hosts the only major university-based professional multi-arts presenting program in Manhattan. As a result, one natural and continuing mission of the Skirball Center is to build young audiences for live performance through a broad range of compelling performance events at affordable ticket prices. For more information, visit www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu.