complete edition - Clarion University

If we had known
Clarion University Foundation, Inc.,
receives surprise bequests from time
to time. of course, we appreciate those
gifts immensely. They reveal gracious
and generous people who love Clarion.
In addition, those gifts certainly help us
accomplish our mission of supporting
the university.
Unfortunately, we are never able to
express our gratitude for such kindness.
We are unable to let those people know
how much their gift would mean. If we
had only known, we could have said,
“Thank you.”
So we encourage our friends to let
us know when they include Clarion
University Foundation, Inc., in their
estate plans. not only can we express
our appreciation, we can make sure
they are kept up to date with all the
developments occurring here at the
university.
Have you named Clarion in your
estate plans? If so, like Connie Alexis-
Laona please let us know, so we can
say thank you! If not, and if you would
like to talk with someone personally
about gift planning possibilities, please
let us know that as well. All inquiries
are considered confidential unless you
decide otherwise. Inquiries can be
made by calling 814-393-2572 or by
emailing giving@clarion.edu.
Your
Generosity
transforms
lives.
10 ClArIoN AND beyoND | NOVEMBER 2012
Connie Alexis-laona (’71) believes that
theatre nourishes the soul. To support
what has been so important to her in her
lifetime, Alexis-Laona has established the Dr.
Adam Weiss Theatre Endowment at Clarion
University in honor of her theatre professor,
advisor and mentor.
“I am who I am today because of Clarion
and the people who taught at Clarion,”
Alexis-Laona said. “Dr. Weiss taught theatre
history and design and technical theatre.
He instilled in his students an appreciation
of theatrical tradition and the skills and
knowledge necessary to excel as a theatrical
producer.”
Alexis-Laona was active in theatre
in high school. The memories are so
precious to her that she has held onto
a broken glass horse from her school’s
production of “The Glass Menagerie.”
She decided to further pursue theatre
at Clarion University, taking a cue from
her high school drama teacher, a Clarion
alumnus. At Clarion, she majored in
speech communication and theatre,
and she continued her involvement in
productions.
“From the excellent theatre training
and leadership skills I obtained at
Clarion, I learned to work hard and
benefit from every work experience,”
Alexis-Laona said. “During the time I
was at Clarion, students produced many
shows. I started my producing career
with our Alpha Psi omega productions.”
After completing her master’s degree
at Penn State, Alexis-Laona headed to
new york City, arriving in the mid 70s.
She worked steadily, finding rewarding
work at great theatres, including
Manhattan Theatre Club and Circle
Repertory Theatre. She continued
working in theatre for most of her adult
life, until 1998 when she moved to
university advancement. She found the
skills she learned in theatre transferred
well to her new career.
“on the stage-management end, it
made me organized and able to work
as team member/leader,” Alexis-Laona
said. “It absolutely gave me the ability
to look at a goal and achieve it.”
She had frequently found herself in
the role of fundraiser.
“(In theatre), I was always in nonprofit
organizations. We depended
on box office income to support the
programs, so we were always looking for
philanthropic gifts,” Alexis-Laona said.