Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Community says goodbye to college president

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004 | 7:54 a.m.

Dr. Paul Gianini, interim president of the Community College of Southern Nevada since January, was given a fond farewell at a surprise party on the CCSN West Charleston campus Thursday.

Gianini, who accepted the interim position after a career as president of Valencia Community College in Daytona Beach, Fla., brought with him a wealth of fund-raising experience, as Valencia leads the nation in endowments and corporate support gifts. He and wife Sandra, while enjoying their Las Vegas sojourn, returned home to Florida this past weekend.

Arranging the party -- a gathering of Gianini's administrative staff, President's Cabinet and representatives of the CCSN Foundation -- was Diana Wilson, executive director of the foundation, and JoAnn Zahm, administrative assistant, who worked with foundation board member Jenny DesVaux Oaks to provide a well-crafted story about meeting with a potential donor as a cover for the party.

Attending were President's Cabinet members Dr. Al Valbuena (vice president of technology and strategic planning), Dr. Bob Anderson (vice president of student services), Patty Charlton (vice president of finance), Dr. Kathryn Jeffery (administrator of the West Charleston campus) and Helen Clougherty (executive director of government and public affairs).

In the audience as Dr. Gianini accepted a portrait of dignitaries and professors taken during the 2004 Spring graduation ceremonies was foundation board member Ed Curry, joined by Janie Silvaggio, Eric Garner, Dr. Roger Wilson, Thomas Brown, Doris Clark, Karen Sherman, Victor Costea, Dr. Joe West and Ann Johnson.

Artful event

Lush, lovely and a fitting complement to its new exhibit, "The Pursuit of Pleasure," the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum party given to celebrate the formal opening Thursday was fully enjoyed by the crowd of 470 attending guests.

Ushered into the museum at The Venetian were Richard and Wendy Plaster, Dr. Neville and Esther Pokroy, Wally Goodman, Eileen Hayes of Nevada Opera Theatre, Patrick Duffy and Joel Strote of the Liberace Museum and Foundation, John Brame Witmer, Lee Cagley, Alan Molasky, and Marcia Leeman of the Guggenheim Heritage's Leadership Council.

Spreading out into the galleries to use the hand-held devices to hear the history of chosen pieces were Robert and Tallah Tracy, Karen Barrett and Gerald Facciani of the Las Vegas Art Museum, Kurt Mische and Vicki Dueker of KLVX Channel 10, Frank Dumont of the Neon Museum and Roger Thomas, vice president of design and development at Wynn Las Vegas.

Many guests lingered with friends to discuss favorites among the 37 pieces, which date from the 16th century through the early 20th century. Among the guests were Judge Gil and Edythe Yarchever, Mike Novick of Morgan Stanley, Karen Gordon of Activity Planners, Deede Nave with Lynn Sommer and Susan Houston.

The reception, hosted by Guggenheim Hermitage Executive Director Elizabeth Herridge, was held in a trio of romantic bridal bowers, which adjoin the verdant gardens atop the Venezia Tower at The Venetian. Given warm welcome as they entered the rose-scented rooms were Sue and Richard Brand, Dennis and Judy Hetherington, Von Heinz, Tom Lawyer, Wing Fong with Charlotte Jularbal, Carolyn Muse Grant and University Regent Mark Alden.

Enjoying the elegantly presented buffet and reception with friends were Sondra Lynch with Mike and Beverly Mykisen, Keith Neel of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Charlie Desiderio of the Salvation Army, Angie Wallin of Nevada Arts Advocates, Jennifer Whitehair and her artist mother, Linda Whitehair, and Nancy Deaner of the city of Las Vegas' Cultural Affairs Division.

Also seen in the crowd of invited guests were Jim Hodge with Betty Bunch, Buck and Aurora Wong and Mark and Virginia Martino, who listened to Dan Shewman of the museum answer a multitude of questions about the exhibition and museum memberships.

Offer you can't refuse

Film, fun and the best of food and wines will be included as Sazio at The Orleans presents its "Godfather" wine dinner on Aug. 17. The family-style dinner with wine selections and commentary by Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery representatives will include a special screening of Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather."

A delectable menu of Italian favorites will be matched by wines for the five-course meal. "Godfather" surprises and a trivia contest will be included. For details and reservations, call 948-9500.

Students honored

Rudy Prieto, chief executive and general manager of the Las Vegas Hilton, recently recognized a trio of young students selected as 2004 recipients of the resort's college scholarships.

Anna San, Joanna Corona and Zachary Heit were feted during the luncheon event at the resort on July 19. The scholarships, awarded to children of employees at the Las Vegas Hilton, are granted for four years or until graduation, whichever occurs first.

Each will receive $1,200 per semester for expenses at the college or university of their choice. To continue to receive the funding, students must maintain a 2.75 grade point average per semester and the parent qualifying the student for the scholarship must continue to remain employed at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Today there are 15 students in the program, with a field of 11 applicants this year. Over the life of the program (since 1989) more than 100 students have received scholarships worth $420,000.

Efforts bear fruit

The community efforts funded by the Assistance League of Las Vegas' Just a Second boutique are really paying off.

Last year the hard-working organization, with its army of volunteers, made Southern Nevada a better place by reaching out to assist 15,649 individuals. Its philanthropic programs are many and include Road to Success, which helps to provide work-appropriate clothing for those seeking (and accepting) employment after training programs or re-entry, health kits for the needy of all ages and assistance to victims of crime and assault, to name just a few.

Operation School Bell, which seeks to provide at-risk children with clothing so they may attend school regularly (and with dignity), has to date clothed 43,600 local children.

Andre Agassi, both individually and in conjunction with his sporting goods sponsors, has been a longtime contributor to Operation School Bell, helping to make a real difference in the attendance and learning success for many children.

Just a Second boutique, operating at 6446 W. Charleston Blvd. (near Torrey Pines Drive), welcomes donations of new and gently used goods, small furniture, books and clothing. Please call 870-2002 or 870-1991 for details and hours of operation.