University of New Orleans turned the big 5-0 and celebrated with “Fifty Forward,” a black-tie gala at the New Orleans Marriott Grand Ballroom on May 9. Supporters brought in more than $65,000 towards the scholarship fund.
Co-chairs Malcolm Ehrhardt and Susan Hess, and masters of ceremonies Clancy and Margo DuBos welcomed the party of about 600. Guests included Chancellor Tim Ryan with wife Louise Schreiber, Louisiana State University System President Dr. John Lombardi and LSU Chancellor Mike Martin with wife Jan. Alumni was well-represented with Gary and Martha Solomon, Mike and Julie Flick, Tom and Connie Kitchen and Fr. Michael Kettenring, to name a few. Chancellor Ryan gave a presentation on the past, present and future of the University to the Privateers-at-heart.
The handsomely dressed merrymakers of the evening got their groove on to a number of talented musicians: UNO Jazz Quartet, Dr. Michael White Trio, Pfister Sisters, Luther Kent and Trickbag and Irvin Mayfield, UNO Artist-in-Residence and Artistic Director of The New Orleans Jazz Institute. Yummy dishes were corn and crab bisque, grilled filet with cognac demi-glace, roasted Yukon potatoes, grilled asparagus and last and most sweet, Bananas Foster.
Thanks go to the many sponsors for contributing to future education here in the Crescent City, among them: Barry and Teresa LeBlanc; Chevron; Adams and Reese, LLP; Drs. Nicolas and Haydee Bazan; Center for Action Research on New Orleans School Reforms; Entergy; Eureka Homestead; First NBC Bank; Tim and Ashley Francis; Geocent; Lester E. Kabacoff Family Foundation; Arnold Kirschman; Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries; University of New Orleans Research and Technology Foundation, Inc. and Whitney National Bank.
