Celebrating A New Name

Photos by Patrick and Peggy O'Donnell

The Joseph Clayes III Performing Arts Center naming ceremony March 28 brought together donors and patrons, students and faculty members, as well as campus leaders, for an evening to remember — a milestone in the College of the Arts. Trustees of the Clayes estate, Trulette M. Clayes and Brendan Holmes, were there to assist CSUF President Milton A. Gordon and College of the Arts Dean Jerry Samuelson with the unveiling. A $5 million gift from the estate of Clayes, a former student body president and arts patron, led to the center naming. James D. Young, founding chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, told the audience about Clayes’ return to his alma mater for a reunion with fellow members of the Class of ’61 and how he later toured the center while it was under construction.

Attendees were treated to a champagne reception, and outside, under crisscrossing spotlights, the Brass Ensemble performed a special fanfare for the occasion. Gordon told the crowd that “our performing arts on this campus is the No. 1 draw for the community.” At the center of the festivities was the Clayes Collage Concert, featuring more than 200 music majors performing in the Meng Concert Hall. It drew thunderous applause and a standing ovation for the students, conductors and directors of the dozen music ensembles involved. Earlier that evening, a fundraising dinner organized by the MAMM Alliance for the Performing Arts recognized donors who support CSUF performing arts programs. They dined in the Lee and Nicholas A. Begovich Scenic Laboratory, surrounded by costumes and scenery created by students for the many productions staged in the center. Donors were entertained by theatre majors and music alumna Kate Peters, who performed her one-woman-show “A Vagabond Queen” in the Millie and Dale Hallberg Theatre. Peters co-chaired the celebration with Doug Simao, president of the MAMM Alliance.