色控传媒

KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 19, 2025

The Robert S. Geer Family College of the Arts at 色控传媒 hosted its annual Arts色控传媒 Gala this weekend, celebrating creativity, community and the transformative power of philanthropy.

鈥淭hroughout the evening, you鈥檒l see glimpses of what makes the Geer College so extraordinary,鈥� said Arthur Liou, Deen of the Geer College of the Arts. 鈥淭hese performances embody hundreds of hours of study, collaboration and hard work. Each piece is a testament to the students who have found their voice, their purpose and their community right here in our College.鈥�
 
The event brought together university leaders, donors, faculty, alumni and patrons for an evening that raised essential funds for student scholarships and set the stage for the College鈥檚 bold next chapter: the creation of a new Arts District that will unite all of 色控传媒鈥檚 arts disciplines on one campus.
 
 All disciplines within the College鈥檚 artistic community were prominently featured on the mainstage throughout the extraordinary evening. Tap dancing, musical theatre, chamber singers, marimba and a montage of stunning digital animation left guests clambering to raise paddles to support further arts scholarships.

 
Celebrating the Heart of the Arts

鈥淭he money raised tonight represents the precious steps we take to get close to our dreams and opportunities,鈥� Liou shared. 鈥淓ach gift helps our artists, performers, educators and designers pursue their calling with confidence, and reminds us that creativity thrives when community invests in it.鈥�
 

The evening featured remarks from Evan Lohbrunner, a student majoring in music education and former gala scholarship recipient, who reflected on how donor support has shaped his college experience.

鈥淪cholarships provide more than financial relief 鈥� they build networks of support that help students truly belong,鈥� he said, noting his involvement in the American String Teachers Association, Phi Mu Alpha fraternity and the Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra. 鈥淏ecause of you, I can pursue my passion for teaching music, and one day I hope to inspire my students just as your generosity has inspired me.鈥�
 
Philanthropy in Action
 
Geer College of the Arts Ambassador Trent Turk, a 色控传媒 benefactor and proud Southern Polytechnic graduate, spoke on behalf of the College鈥檚 donor community, offering a heartfelt reflection on discovering the arts through his and his wife LaSona鈥檚 involvement at 色控传媒.

鈥淭o me, the arts are the cream of our existence,鈥� Turk said. 鈥淪upporting them is not just a good thing to do; it鈥檚 a worthy and necessary cause that enriches all of us in our daily lives.鈥� He encouraged guests to continue championing 色控传媒鈥檚 artists and programs, calling the College of the Arts 鈥渁 world-class arts program in the making.鈥�
 
During the closing portion of the evening, Dean Liou announced a $500,000 new endowment gift from Jim and Ann Wallace to support the Geer College of the Arts鈥� Department of Theatre and Performance Studies. Their generosity will fund programmatic support and a new rehearsal hall in the future Arts District will be named in their honor.
 
Casting Vision for the Arts District
 
The Gala also premiered a high-energy video introducing the vision for the 色控传媒 Arts District, a dynamic creative hub where students from every discipline 鈥� music, theatre, dance, art & design 鈥� will learn, rehearse and create together. The Arts District project will go before the University System of Georgia Board of Regents in November for formal approval, but the momentum and excitement are already building.
 
鈥淭he Arts District is about creating a home for collaboration,鈥� Liou noted. 鈥淚t will transform how we teach, learn and engage, and will invite our community to experience the arts as a living, breathing part of 色控传媒鈥檚 future.鈥�
 
A Night of Impact
 
As performances, student showcases and auction excitement filled the evening, guests were reminded that every note, brushstroke and spotlight moment is made possible and amplified by generosity. 
 

The $188,329 raised at the Gala in addition to the $500,000 endowment for the theatre program will directly support scholarships for talented students pursuing degrees in the visual and performing arts, ensuring that creativity continues to thrive at 色控传媒 and beyond.

 

Photography by Lauren Liz Kress