Marywood honored Trustee Dr. Patrick J. Fricchione with the “Lead On Award” at the fourth annual Community Leadership Celebration on Thursday, May 4.

Event planners revamped the Center for Athletics and Wellness to fit this year’s theme of “Windows to the World,” featuring elements of cities like Paris, Tokyo, New York and Rome.

Each ticket cost $500, and all proceeds were contributed to the President’s Innovation Fund.

“We want to make sure we thank everybody for supporting this event tonight, and it’s great to see the excitement [and] the energy,” said Dr. Renée Zehel, vice president for University Advancement. “All of these people believe in Marywood and want to see Marywood be successful in her next century, and that’s what this is all about.”

This year’s global theme matched that of the inauguration of Marywood President Sr. Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., “A University for the World.”

“I think the theme is very fitting to Marywood given the inauguration theme, and it fits who we are,” said Lisa Lori, chair of the Board of Trustees.

The reception featured a dueling pianos performance, selections from the recent production of “Godspell” and a performance by the Pour Four saxophone quartet. Additionally, Marywood architecture students designed and built the luminaries on the tables.

Aerial performers hung from the ceilings as living florals walked around the room, and a living sculpture of Atlas held up a globe to contribute to the “Windows to the World” theme.

Persico presented Fricchione with the Lead On Award, highlighting his successes as a physician, community leader and businessman.

“He’s a very deserving winner. He’s very supportive of Marywood,” Persico said. “He certainly has the interest of the students at heart. He fights very hard for our students.”

Fricchione said he feels honored to receive the Lead On Award.

“Marywood has a long tradition, and to be part of something that’s been in the community, and has played such an important role in our community for over 100 years, it’s an honor,” Fricchione said. “For that alone, for me, it’s a personal accomplishment.”

Gallery • 11 Photos

Photo credit/ Anne Zukowski

Donors and student ambassadors filled the Center for Athletics and Wellness.

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