Starry Starry Night Press
Starry Starry Night at University of Charleston
September 19, 2008
Watch video message from Jennifer Garner regarding Starry Starry Night >>
Local press before the event:
Garner, Affleck coming to UC for fundraiser 5.21.08 >>
Officials say Jennifer Garner still coming to UC fundraiser 7.23.08 >>
Details released about Garner-Affleck event in Charleston 7.29.08 >>
Charleston-raised celebrity Jennifer Garner and her husband, Ben Affleck, will host Starry Starry Night, an elegant evening under the stars, on the UC riverfront September 19. We anticipate a sell-out crowd for this once-in-a-lifetime event. Staged under a large tent overlooking the State Capitol, the evening is a tribute to the memory of alumni Mario and Louise Palumbo, and proceeds will be dedicated to the new UC athletic arena.
The story behind the evening:
Many years ago, Mario Palumbo and Louise Corey began their educations at Morris Harvey College, now the University of Charleston. You might say they had stars in their eyes. Mario was a basketball star and student body president; Louise was a cheerleader. Together they pursued their dreams of getting an education, establishing careers, and starting a family.
After graduation, Mario and Louise Palumbo were exceptional alumni. Throughout a distinguished career first as an attorney with Kay, Casto & Chaney, later as a member of the West Virginia State Senate, and eventually as the Attorney General of West Virginia, Mario stayed involved with his alma mater and worked to make it a school he and Louise could be proud of. He taught courses as a part-time faculty member and served on the Board of Trustees. Meanwhile, Louise found her own path to stardom, studying at NYU and excelling as fashion director for the Stone & Thomas department store chain. Also a University of Charleston Trustee, she set the tone for fashion across West Virginia with the annual Stone & Thomas “Symphony in Fashion” shows across the state. Notably, she spearheaded the “Stars in the Hills” initiative that encouraged South Hills homeowners to display large, lighted stars in prominent locations at holiday time.
Throughout their lives, family came first for the Palumbos, and it’s no surprise that they made many friends. Jennifer Garner, one of son Corey’s best friends, grew up to be a movie star. When she heard that the University would be celebrating these stellar alumni at a star-studded event, she wanted to be a part of it.
College sweethearts . . . community leaders . . . exceptional alumni . . .
Mario and Louise Palumbo died together on Independence Day weekend in 2004. Meanwhile, a new era was dawning at the University of Charleston. Enrollment is up over 50% in the past two years. Six of the ten buildings on campus have been built in this decade. A new school of pharmacy is experiencing phenomenal success, and a new graduate school of business will open in fall 2008. The number of students living on campus has tripled, and the University is challenged to meet demand for residence halls, classroom space and athletic facilities.
Part of the Vision for UC – a part that would have been near and dear to the couple who spent so much time in Eddie King Gymnasium – is to replace the 1947 facility where Mario and Louise spent happy college years with a new athletic arena for the stars of the future.
Starry Starry Night will be a tribute to this stellar alumni couple an opportunity for friends, family, fellow alumni and community members to celebrate for a good cause. Proceeds from the event will fund a naming opportunity in the new athletic complex in memory of Mario and Louise Palumbo, outstanding alumni whose lives exemplified so well the potential of past, current and future UC students.
Post Event Press
Check out the AP Video from the Red Carpet >>
Gazette 9.20.08 >>
People Magazine 9.20.08 >>
View photos from Starry Starry Night on Flickr >>
Local press prior to the event:
Garner, Affleck coming to UC for fundraiser 5.21.08 >>
Officials say Jennifer Garner still coming to UC fundraiser 7.23.08 >>
Details of the event (including menu) released 7.29.08 >>
Final preparations for the event >>
Starry Starry Night at University of Charleston
September 19, 2008
Watch video message from Jennifer Garner regarding Starry Starry Night >>
Local press before the event:
Garner, Affleck coming to UC for fundraiser 5.21.08 >>
Officials say Jennifer Garner still coming to UC fundraiser 7.23.08 >>
Details released about Garner-Affleck event in Charleston 7.29.08 >>
Charleston-raised celebrity Jennifer Garner and her husband, Ben Affleck, will host Starry Starry Night, an elegant evening under the stars, on the UC riverfront September 19. We anticipate a sell-out crowd for this once-in-a-lifetime event. Staged under a large tent overlooking the State Capitol, the evening is a tribute to the memory of alumni Mario and Louise Palumbo, and proceeds will be dedicated to the new UC athletic arena. The story behind the evening:
Many years ago, Mario Palumbo and Louise Corey began their educations at Morris Harvey College, now the University of Charleston. You might say they had stars in their eyes. Mario was a basketball star and student body president; Louise was a cheerleader. Together they pursued their dreams of getting an education, establishing careers, and starting a family.
After graduation, Mario and Louise Palumbo were exceptional alumni. Throughout a distinguished career first as an attorney with Kay, Casto & Chaney, later as a member of the West Virginia State Senate, and eventually as the Attorney General of West Virginia, Mario stayed involved with his alma mater and worked to make it a school he and Louise could be proud of. He taught courses as a part-time faculty member and served on the Board of Trustees. Meanwhile, Louise found her own path to stardom, studying at NYU and excelling as fashion director for the Stone & Thomas department store chain. Also a University of Charleston Trustee, she set the tone for fashion across West Virginia with the annual Stone & Thomas “Symphony in Fashion” shows across the state. Notably, she spearheaded the “Stars in the Hills” initiative that encouraged South Hills homeowners to display large, lighted stars in prominent locations at holiday time.
Throughout their lives, family came first for the Palumbos, and it’s no surprise that they made many friends. Jennifer Garner, one of son Corey’s best friends, grew up to be a movie star. When she heard that the University would be celebrating these stellar alumni at a star-studded event, she wanted to be a part of it.
College sweethearts . . . community leaders . . . exceptional alumni . . .
Mario and Louise Palumbo died together on Independence Day weekend in 2004. Meanwhile, a new era was dawning at the University of Charleston. Enrollment is up over 50% in the past two years. Six of the ten buildings on campus have been built in this decade. A new school of pharmacy is experiencing phenomenal success, and a new graduate school of business will open in fall 2008. The number of students living on campus has tripled, and the University is challenged to meet demand for residence halls, classroom space and athletic facilities.
Part of the Vision for UC – a part that would have been near and dear to the couple who spent so much time in Eddie King Gymnasium – is to replace the 1947 facility where Mario and Louise spent happy college years with a new athletic arena for the stars of the future.
Starry Starry Night will be a tribute to this stellar alumni couple an opportunity for friends, family, fellow alumni and community members to celebrate for a good cause. Proceeds from the event will fund a naming opportunity in the new athletic complex in memory of Mario and Louise Palumbo, outstanding alumni whose lives exemplified so well the potential of past, current and future UC students.
