Donors to the college were overwhelmed with warm greetings and appreciation at the mansion doors. Names tags were thoughtfully placed in the hands of the donors along with wide smiles from students. Many reunions and greeting were welcomed upon entering the mansion.
“The Inaugural Woodcrest Society Reception was very friendly, warm and exhibited the Cabrini hospitality,” Sharon Loman, the vice president of the office of institutional advancement, “I don’t think I could of asked for anything more,” Loman said.
The evening of the Inagural Woodcrest Society Reception held on Thursday, Oct. 6 started off with a few remarks by Loman who showed her gratitude to the donors for all they had done. Following Loman’s thanks was a reflection by Jenay Smith, sophomore communications major.
Smith’s reflection was based off of a poem by Stephen Crane, “A Man Said to the universe.”
She added her own reflection of the poem and incorporated the generosity of the donors.
“I promise you they were blown away by your reflection,” Loman said to Smith after the presentation of the reflection. “The highlight truly was hearing your reflection and the fact that you gave it so much thought.”
There were many who attended the reception, donors, friends, faculty, students and alumni.
The few students who attended the reception were very pleased to be included in the appreciation reception.
“It’s a good feeling because we’re giving back to them,” Rachael Conte, freshmen undecided, said.
“It shows were appreciating them. We can’t give back the money but by doing this it shows us giving back to them.” Conte said.
The donors at the event had nothing but admirable things to say about Cabrini and the evening they had.
Joanne Kovacs Balshi, honorary doctorate class of ’69 and former Board Chair, explained that she loves Cabrini; they were some of the best years of her life.
The guest were also presented with a performance by the Cabrini College chorus.
“Were having a blast,” Balshi said “The musical rendition is over the top.”
Cabrini College chorus performed a couple selections to top off the event. After the performance many people raved over the chorus and thought they did a fantastic job.
In the future, Institutional Advancement is planning on having more students involved in the Woodcrest Society Reception.
“I think the event was about the students. I think it was about alumni and friends of the school donating to the students,” Elona Lakuriqi, annual fund coordinator, said. “It just shows that money goes to the students.”
Institutional Advancements interns, Jaiquann Beckham, junior special education major and Pat Schneider, senior marketing major, were able to network with friends and alumni of Cabrini.
“This is only my second year at Cabrini I’m delighted to be here because I get to see the people whose generosity helps make our students education possible,” Anne Skleder, provost and vice president of academic affairs, said. “It’s also wonderful to see students performing and doing reflections and seeing exactly how this investment pays off in our students’ interest.”
