News Archive
11/10/2009
UNI's Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center receives $500,000 'birthday' gift
In honor of the 10th birthday of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at the University of Northern Iowa, two of its namesakes, Ed and Cathy Gallagher, are celebrating with a gift of $500,000 for its benefit. The gift, through the UNI Foundation, was announced at Sunday night's (Nov. 8) performance by world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman.
Steve Carignan, executive director, Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center said, "Ed and Cathy are true believers in supporting culture and education in the Cedar Valley. The Gallagher's leadership gift in support of our endowment campaign inspires all of us to serve and support the arts and the economic development and quality of life that the arts provide."
Ten years ago, the Gallaghers contributed $1 million to help build the Center, which was named in their honor and in honor of the late Carl Bluedorn and his wife, Peggy.
The gift will be used to establish the Edward and Catherine Cassidy Gallagher Endowment for the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. The endowment supports artistic programming, equipment needs and other projects.
"The impact on the community has exceeded our vision," said Ed Gallagher. "We're excited about the Kaleidoscope program that gets kids interested in music and culture. And we're pleased to see that the Gallagher-Bluedorn has nurtured a growing interest in culture across the state. It has created a cultural niche for the Cedar Valley by hosting outstanding shows and Broadway performances. It has also been a deciding factor in attracting new businesses to the area. We couldn't be happier to celebrate 10 years of success."
UNI President, Benjamin Allen said, "Ed and Cathy captured the vision ten years ago and have continued to play a critical role in advancing the arts in the Cedar Valley. We are honored to receive this generous gift, a gift that will help the Center sustain the caliber of performers patrons have come to expect."
Ed Gallagher is a senior partner in the Gallagher Langlas & Gallagher law firm. He has held leadership positions with many civic organizations and non-profit agencies in the Cedar Valley including the UNI Foundation Board of Trustees. Cathy Gallagher is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and received an Honorary Doctor of Humanities from Clarke College in Dubuque. She served for 20 years on Clarke College's Board of Trustees and is currently Trustee Emerita. Cathy is also past treasurer of the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Guild, and past president of Covenant Hospital Auxiliary and Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls.
The Gallagher's gift is part of the $150 million Imagine the Impact Campaign for the University of Northern Iowa. The campaign focuses on scholarships, faculty and program support. For more information, visit www.uni-foundation.org.
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