*Winter 2001 Magazine CR - Webpages at SCU - Santa Clara ...

MissionMattersT$20 million gift for new learning centerhe largest single gift in theUniversity’s history will fundendowed scholarships and helptransform the campus library into atechnology-infused learning center.Lorry Lokey, founder and presidentof San Francisco-based“Business Wire,” in April pledged$20 million to SCU. Lokey, a memberof the Board of Trustees, said hemade his gift in recognition of thevalue of education.“The more Santa Claras there are,the better our world is bound tobecome,” said the Stanford graduate.Lokey’s gift provides $15 millionto create a campus learning center,and $5 million for scholarships.SCU President Paul Locatelli,S.J., said the new center will combinethe physical resources and professionalsupport of a traditional universitylibrary with wide access to newtechnologies.“We aim to create a world-classresource where our faculty and studentscan gather information fromaround the world,” Locatelli said.“Lorry Lokey’s lead gift moves us faralong that path.”Lokey founded Business Wire, anindependent commercial news service,in 1961.His gift to SCU is the largest pledgeor gift by a non-alumnus. The LeaveyFoundation, created by the late ThomasE. Leavey ’22, has given $30 millionto SCU since 1989, including $15million to rebuild the Leavey Center.The University has also received $16.9million since 1995 from the Arlineand Thomas J. Bannan Foundation.Thomas Bannan was a 1923 SCUgraduate.A quarter-century for Mayer TheatreSanta Clara University commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Louis B. Mayer Theatre andthe 35th anniversary of the University’s theatre arts major with an “Alumni Performance Fest”Jan. 13.The 575-seat Mayer Theatre was dedicated in 1975 after receiving additional financial supportfrom San Francisco developer Benjamin Swig and the University’s Board of Fellows, which contributedproceeds from its annual Golden Circle Theatre Party to the building fund.The Mayer Theatre and Fess Parker Studio, a 130-seat black-box theater, replaced the socalledLifeboat, temporary quarters for campus dramatics since the demolition of the historicShip in 1962.Evening activities included a performance featuring SCU theater and dance alumni, includingKurtwood Smith, one of the stars of the FOX television program, “That ’70s Show.” Smith was anartist in residence at SCU (1965–67) and appeared at the University as a guest artist in subsequentyears. He and his daughter, Laurel Smith ’94, performed a scene from “The Dining Room,”by A.R. Gurney.Suzanne Mayer, a member of the University’s Board of Regents and the daughter of Louis Mayer,the late motion picture producer who headed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from 1924–51, attended theevent. The Mayer Foundation contributed funds toward the theater’s completion.The fund-raising event was sponsored by the Department of Theatre and Dance and the Centerof Performing Arts (CPA), which hosts theater productions, music performances, and dance concertsthroughout the year.For the CPA’s program schedule and information, visit www.scu.edu/cpa/.Christy L. Blyther '96 (left) created and performeda dance called "Mauf Chai" ("I Want Mercy") at theAlumni Performance Fest at the Mayer Theatre.CHARLES BARRYSANTA CLARA MAGAZINE/SUMMER 2001 5