It’s Our Time to Shine
Thank you for joining UNCG for a celebration of Light the Way campaign momentum and your incredible impact. This event was packed with Spartan stars.
relive the evening
Check out the timelapse of Jeks’ Minerva
This mural will be permanently displayed in the UNCG Dining Hall.
congratulations
to Light the Way Co-Chairs Susan Safran ‘77 and Randall Kaplan on being awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Roy Cooper!
view speakers & performances
Celebration of Philanthropy Highlights
Glint. Performed by Soraiah Williams ’24
Betsy Oakley’s Welcome
Light the Way Co-Chair Susan Safran ’77 and Phaedra Grove ’92 ’95 MPA Highlight Campaign Gifts
Light the Way Co-Chair Randall Kaplan Presents Campaign Momentum
Governor Cooper Presents Light the Way Co-Chairs with Long Leaf Pine
Chancellor Gilliam Offers Closing Remarks
Rise Up. Performed by UNCG Musical Theatre Majors
BIOGRAPHIES BY PROGRAM
Soraiah Williams ’24
Spoken Word Poetry Performance – “Glint” (written by Jason Alison); “Rise Up” – Performer
Soraiah Williams is a junior musical theatre major who has performed in many productions, from the Zoom-only “Hear Our Voices” in 2020 to a musical adaptation of “As You Like It.” This year, she will appear in her musical theatre studio class’s production of “Company” and the School of Theatre’s production of “The Wild Party.” Alumni and donors may see her video content in the coming year as she is a new member of the Spartan Storyteller donor engagement team. She is excited to be involved in this celebration of achievement, philanthropy, and community.
Hazael “Haz” Mengesha ’23
Welcome Remarks (Introduction)
Hazael “Haz” Mengesha is a senior studying kinesiology, biology, and chemistry in the School of Health and Human Sciences. He is UNCG’s current SGA president and has been the recipient of the Board of Visitors Scholarship, the Betsy Umstead Undergraduate Scholarship, and, most recently, the Rosemary McGee Scholarship for Kinesiology. In a 2021 interview, he gave the advice, “be resilient, be still, and take every day as it comes.” He is proud to be with us tonight.
Betsy Oakley ’69
Welcome Remarks
Betsy Oakley is an alumna and a true philanthropist. In addition to being the current Chair of the Board of Trustees, she has served on many committees over the years. She and her husband, Mitchell, have been deeply involved in University giving. Not only the Oakley Family Reception Room in Alumni House, but also the Betsy Suitt Oakley Travel Fund, the Collage Performance and Chamber Series Scholarship Fund, the School of Music Enrichment Fund, the Spartan Athletics Scholarship Fund, and the Chancellor’s Greatest Needs Fund are evidence of the Oakleys’ generosity.
Good Earth Films: Alex Gould ’14 MFA & James Gould ’13 MFA
“Light the Way Stories” Video Production
James and Alex Gould are the UNCG alumni husband and wife team behind Good Earth Films. They want their films to remind people that the Earth is a good place to be. They always work hard to honor the real people on the other side of their camera. Maybe this is why their clients have called them kind, funny, and talented. They hope you enjoy the Light the Way stories they captured to share with you tonight.
Zach Matthews ’17
Transformational Gifts (Introduction)
As a UNCG undergraduate, Zachary Matthews was a recipient of the Susan Morris Safran Merit Scholarship in Nursing and graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2017. He worked in the Medical ICU at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem as a charge nurse and a member of the hospital’s rapid response team. Just this year, he became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Now he is back at UNCG in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. You can hear about how scholarships helped him achieve his goals in our Light the Way Stories campaign video.
Susan Safran ’77
Transformational Gifts
Susan Safran embodies the essence of committed philanthropy. Earning her degree from UNCG in 1977, she built a career in critical care nursing and entrepreneurship. She served on UNCG’s governing board and was the recipient of the 2019 UNCG School of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award. She and her husband made a $1 million gift that supports the Safran Family Endowed Scholarship. She is a former chair of the Board of Trustees and is currently co-chair of our Light the Way campaign, which supports the values of access, excellence, and impact.
Phaedra Grove ’92, ’95 MPA
Collective Impact
Phaedra Grove is Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Arch Capital Group and an alumna who upholds the highest standards of service. She is the board chair of the UNC Greensboro Foundation and holds a lifetime membership in the NAACP. The connections she forged as a student are still strong. She is engaged with the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and helped establish the “Pearls of Promise” scholarship. She is also a member of The Links, Incorporated’s Winston-Salem Leadership Class of 2021.
Ti’Era Worsley ’22 PHD
Campaign Progress (Introduction)
Ti’Era Worsley, who earned her Ph.D. in Educational Studies in 2022, is a postdoctoral researcher at UNCG. She is a Certified Environmental Educator and Certified National Geographic Instructor whose research interests include environmental education, informal education, and the importance of “care” in pedagogy. This concept of care is “a combination of building relationships, integrating youth voices, and acknowledging their varied ways of learning” for success. You can hear her talk about the positive change that philanthropy can make in our Light the Way Stories campaign video. She is delighted to participate in this celebration.
Randall Kaplan
Campaign Progress
Randall R. Kaplan is a former UNCG Board of Trustees chair and current co-chair of our Light the Way campaign. Evidence of his philanthropy can be seen when students relax in the Kaplan Commons or when innovative research and new fields of study find life through the Randall R. Kaplan Distinguished Professorship in Innovation. Kaplan received degrees from Brown University and the University of Michigan, and practiced law in Washington D.C. He is currently the CEO of Capsule Group LLC.
Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr.
Closing Remarks
Dr. Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. began his tenure as the eleventh Chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) in September 2015. He is the first African American chancellor to lead a non-HBCU in the UNC System.
Dr. Gilliam’s career spans more than 35 years in higher education, including, Dean of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs as well as Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at UCLA, where his research focused on strategic communications, public policy, electoral politics, and racial and ethnic politics.
“rise up”
August Eriksmoen
“Rise Up” – Orchestrator
August Eriksmoen is a celebrated orchestrator who has worked on Broadway, London’s West End, and in film and TV. He was the recipient of the 2019 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music for his work on “Come From Away” on Broadway. He has been a nominee for the Tony, Grammy, and Drama Desk Awards. He also finds time to play mandolin in the string band, Bees in the Barn. We’re so pleased that he provided the Orchestration for tonight’s finale.
Dominick Amendum
“Rise Up” – Arranger
Dominick Amendum is the Smart-Tillman Artist in Residence, Coordinator of the Musical Theatre Program, and resident Music Director here at UNCG. He is a Grammy nominee for his production of the original cast recording of “The Prince of Egypt,” a West End hit for which he was the arranger and music supervisor. But, he may be best known for his work as associate music supervisor on the iconic musical “Wicked.” We are honored that Dominick was willing to provide the musical arrangements for tonight’s finale performance.
Erin Farrell Speer
“Rise Up” – Director
Erin Farrell Speer is Assistant Professor of Theatre specializing in Musical Theatre and co-coordinator of the Musical Theatre Program at UNCG. She brings experience with both directing and choreography to the classroom, where she has been shaping the next generation for nearly two decades. She was the Directing Assistant to Christopher Ashley on the Broadway production of Escape to Margaritaville and has toured the U.S. during her career. In 2021, she was selected as the College of Visual and Performing Arts Outstanding Teacher.
Kevin Lawson
“Rise Up” – Music Director
Kevin is an award winning off-Broadway music director, composer, and performer. New York credits include Stinky Kids the musical, Drowsy Chaperone, Wonderful Town, Pajama Game, Urinetown and numerous cabarets at some of NYC’s most popular venues: The Duplex, Don’t Tell Mama, and 54 Below. Kevin was the resident music director for 4 seasons at the Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville Theatre in California. He is also a returned Peace Corps volunteer having served in Ukraine for 2 years as well as domestically in the US during the COVID pandemic. During his undergrad at UNCG, Kevin could be heard in the orchestra pits for Sweeney Todd, Seussical, and Evil Dead the musical! He now returns as the first MFA candidate in the School of Theatre’s new Musical Direction for Musical Theatre program.
ANAIYA ADWATERS
“Rise Up” – Performer
Anaiya Adwaters is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student at UNCG. She has been involved with musical theatre since high school and has grown her passion ever since. She hopes that today’s performance will inspire others to “Rise Up” and watch us show our love for the arts!
Allie Appel
“Rise Up” – Performer
Allie Appel is a junior BFA Musical Theatre student, originally from Atlanta, Georgia. She has loved theatre for as long as she can remember and feels so lucky to surround herself with the most wonderful group of artists here at UNCG! This semester, she is in the School of Theatre production of Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party and Musical Theatre Studio III’s performance of Company. She sends her love and gratitude to Dominick Amendum, Erin Farrell Speer, and April Hill.
Amara Berhan
“Rise Up” – Performer
Amara Berhan is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major here at UNCG. Originally hailing from northwest Ohio, she made the move to Greensboro back in 2020 to take her training to the next level and is so happy she did. She has since performed professionally and hopes to continue to do so in the future! She thanks her wonderful teachers, especially April, Erin, and Dom, her classmates, and all the donors at this program for helping her pursue this dream.
Collin Cowling
“Rise Up” – Performer
Collin Cowling is a current junior in the Musical Theatre program at UNCG. He started performing at local theatres in the Triangle while he attended high school at Saint Paul’s. This semester at UNCG, Collin will be performing as Max in Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party.Enjoy tonight’s performance and come see what else is in store at UNCG’s School of Theatre!
Tavis Kordell Cunningham
“Rise Up” – Performer
Tavis Kordell Cunningham is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major here at UNC Greensboro. This semester he will be co-leading his Musical Theatre Studio III production of Company and UNCG’s School of Theatre production of The Wild Party. Tavis is elated to be a part of this celebration and is hoping that this performance will leave all who view it inspired and ready to “rise up” against challenges one may face in life.
Ella Frederickson
“Rise Up” – Performer
Ella Frederickson is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student here at UNCG. Her passion for the performing arts took off when she was introduced to the classical violin, and she has been exploring ever since. She’s beyond thrilled to be training with Dom, Erin, April, and Meris, and she hopes you enjoy the performance.
Walter Higginbotham
“Rise Up” – Performer
Walter Higginbotham is a junior Musical Theatre major here at UNCG. He is beyond excited to be a part of this event and is so grateful to have the privilege of performing among such a talented group of artists. He hopes that you enjoy the performance tonight and that you will come out to see Sondheim’s Company and Lippa’s The Wild Party this fall and winter, respectively.
Erin Lambertson
“Rise Up” – Performer
Erin Lambertson is a sophmore BFA Musical Theatre student at UNCG. She has always loved the arts and is excited to share her passion with you. This semester she will be performing in The Wild Party as Nadine and in a workshop of Follies as Sally Durant. Come support the arts at UNCG!
Miranda Macasero
“Rise Up” – Performer
Miranda Macasero is a sophomore Musical Theatre major at UNCG. Born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, she is so grateful to continue her education in her hometown and is excited to continue learning from Dominick Amendum, Erin Speer, and April Hill over the next two years. She is thrilled to participate in this wonderful celebration!
Malachi McCaskill
“Rise Up” – Performer
Malachi McCaskill is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major here at UNC Greensboro. His love for theatre started in high school, and he’s decided to further his training for the professional world! This semester he has performed in UNCG’s production of Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea and is excited to see what else is in store and to show what else he has to offer!
Charlie Murtha
“Rise Up” – Performer
Charlie Murtha is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student at UNCG. He’s been performing on the stage since the 6th grade and could not be more grateful for his experience at UNCG so far. He’s so excited for the next two years of training with Dom, Erin, and April and is thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful event!
Sanchi Pandey
“Rise Up” – Performer
Sanchi Pandey is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major here at UNCG, and she is so grateful every day to be a part of this program! She has always loved the arts, and her passion has only grown since being in this program with her incredible peers and faculty. She hopes you enjoy the celebration today!
Ethan Poisson
“Rise Up” – Performer
Ethan Poisson is a sophomore in the BFA Musical Theatre program at UNC Greensboro. He has been doing theatre since elementary school and has had an amazing time at UNCG so far. He can’t wait to continue his training in this incredible program headed by Dominick Amendum, Erin Farrell Speer, and April Hill.
Quinn Rollar
“Rise Up” – Performer
Quinn is a senior BFA musical theatre student. He is so excited to see what the future holds for him and he can’t wait to see where he will go. He is currently in the UNCG School of theatre’s Production of Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party. He hopes you all enjoy the program and have a wonderful, joyous night.
Millie Stevens
“Rise Up” – Performer
Millie is a senior BFA musical theatre major. She is looking forward to graduation but is sad to be leaving UNCG. She has loved her four years with Dom, Erin, April and her whole Musical Theater family. She is excited to be representing UNCG MT today and hopes you enjoy the performance!
Emily Surles
“Rise Up” – Performer
Emily is a Junior Musical Theatre student at UNCG. She has been a lover of musical theatre since she was 10 years old, and she is so thankful for the training she has received at UNCG. This semester, she will also perform in The Wild Party and Company. She extends a special thanks to Dominick Amendum, Erin Speer, and April Hill!
visual artists
Antwain Hairston ’21
Minerva Illustration Artist
As an undergraduate in the BFA Studio Arts program, Antwain Hairston was the recipient of the Class of 1969 UNCG Endowed Scholarship. Now, his art appears in UNCG Magazine. His rendering of Minerva graced the cover of the Fall 2021 issue, which marked the public phase of the Light the Way campaign. Additional work that depicts the human journey of refugees toward a new home can be seen in the Fall 2022 issue, which will be in alumni mailboxes any day now! Antwain is delighted for you to take home prints of his artwork this evening.
Brian Lewis a.k.a JEKS
Street Mural Artist
Brian Lewis, who goes by the name JEKS, is a Greensboro-based artist whose spray-painted portraits of figures from Ken Jeong to Josephine Boyd can be seen in murals across the Triad and beyond, from Canada to Colombia, South America. JEKS is a contract Monster Energy artist and has worked with clients like Spotify, the United Way, and Pabst Blue Ribbon. He has said, “My main goal is to inspire students who are inclined to art-making and help motivate them to pursue their dreams.” He is proud to participate in this Celebration of Philanthropy.