ĀŅĀ׊”æÉ°® welcomes parents, grandparents, siblings, and other relatives of current Eagles to campus this Parentsā Weekend for a full slate of events, including one of ĀŅĀ׊”æÉ°®'s most enduring traditions: the Pops on the Heights Barbara and Jim Cleary Scholarship Gala, now in its 24th year. This year, the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Keith Lockhart, will be joined by award-winning stage and screen performer Kristin Chenoweth as special guest artist.
Pops on the Heights, which will be held Sept. 30 in Conte Forum, to date has raised more than $35 million in support of student financial aid for 1,500 Pops Scholars at ĀŅĀ׊”æÉ°®. Figures for this yearās sold-out event will be announced at the concert. Chairs for the 2016 Pops Gala are Maureen and David OāConnor ā86, Pā16, Pā18, and Kim Gassett-Schiller and Philip Schiller ā82.
The evening begins with performances by student musical groups; when the Pops take the stage, they'll be joined by the University Chorale and the ĀŅĀ׊”æÉ°® Marching Band, and Chenoweth, who is perhaps best known for originating the role of the Glinda the Good Witch in the Broadway hit musical āWicked.ā
Chenoweth has performed in concert halls throughout the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, Londonās Royal Albert Hall, and the Sydney Opera House. She received a Tony Award for her performance as Sally Brown in āYouāre a Good Man, Charlie Brown.ā Her latest musical project, āThe Art of Elegance,ā an album of American songbook classics, was released last week. She will return to Broadway in November for a special series of performances called āKristin Chenoweth: My Love Letter to Broadway.ā In addition to her work in theater and music, Chenoweth is an accomplished film and television actress; she earned an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for āPushing Daisies.ā
Earlier on Friday, parents will have the opportunity to connect with other ĀŅĀ׊”æÉ°® families, visit classes with their students, and attend open houses hosted by deans, as well as sessions on academic advising, student affairs, teaching, and student life. University President William P. Leahy, S.J., will address parents at 4 p.m. in Robsham Theater.
Saturdayās activities will focus on the ĀŅĀ׊”æÉ°®-Buffalo State game at Alumni Stadium at 1 p.m., with a pregame barbecue at the Flynn Recreation Complex. Parentsā Weekend will conclude Sunday with a 10 a.m. family liturgy open to all faiths in Conte Forum, followed by a continental breakfast.
āKathleen Sullivan | News & Public Affairs