Friendship brings a cache of theatrical treasures to UB
the Cornell connection By Ann Whitcher-Gentzke
n unexpected email brought a surprising request. A New York City company had instructions to ship valu-
Douglas Levere, BA ’89
able Katharine Cornell materials to Mike Jankowski at his UB office. The memorabilia and other items associated with the famous stage actress from Buffalo belonged to Jankowski’s friend Elizabeth (“Liz”) Dribben, BA ’58, a New York television and radio producer who died in January 2011. Did Jankowski want them? “I said ‘sure,’” says Jankowski, associate director of alumni relations. “However, it was kind of nebulous in terms of what I was supposed to do with them. So I didn’t ask that question.” But when two boxes arrived with Cornell’s life mask, autographed play programs, production photos and other treasures, Jankowski wanted to verify he was the intended recipient. “I called up the company representative and asked her, ‘Are you just giving these to me? Was it Liz’s wish that they go to the university and then be given to the proper department?’” Mike Jankowski (above) in his office with Katharine Cornell materials.
Katharine Cornell photos courtesy Special Collections, University Libraries
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