All photos by Winifred Westergard
IMPACT—REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
IMPACT
REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 2010 –2011 We are proud to thank the donors who support the mission of Cornish College of the Arts. Our Report to Our Community is meant to demonstrate the lasting power of this support and inspire others to join the Cornish community in the future.
Endowment Funds Are Critical to Student Success An endowment is a permanent fund established to support a specific purpose. A portion of the return generated each year is used to support current year programs. The Cornish Endowed Scholarship Program is an essential com ponent of our financial aid program. Endowed scholarships permanently honor and recognize the alumni, faculty, and friends of Cornish for whom they are named. In the past decade, the number of endowed scholarships offered by Cornish has doubled, which means that many more students are receiving essential financial assistance for their education. Each fall, student recipients gather at the annual endowed scholarship luncheon to meet and thank donors, and celebrate the gifts of donors who are no longer living or those unable to attend. Parents are also invited, along with department chairs and college leaders. The story of Viola Stevens Barron’s life and connection to Cornish is just one example of the power of endowed scholarships to link
30
future artists with the legacy of the past. A Seattle native, Viola studied violin and ensemble music at the Cornish School from 1931 to 1934. She continued playing music throughout her life, teaching hundreds of students and performing with the Beaverton Symphony and then the Santa Barbara City College Orchestra until the age of 89. After her death, her children and family members gave generously to establish an endowed scholarship in her memory. Melissa Achten, the 2010–2011 Viola Stevens Barron Endowed Scholar, expressed her appreciation to Viola’s children: “I think about your family often and about the amazing contribution you have made, not only to my art, but to the school and the community I work in. It has made such a difference in my life and the lives of my fellow artists. It is with your support that I proudly work at Cornish and take advantage of every possible opportunity. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.” Thank you to all of our donors who support endowed scholarships!