Symphony Society hosts annual meeting and awards luncheon

Photo

SPECIALTO THE VINDICATOR The Youngstown Symphony Society elected officers and board members at its recent annual meeting and awards luncheon. From left, are Florence Wang, Symphony Society chairman of the board of directors; Donna S. Collins, executive director Ohio Arts Council; and Judy R. Sees, society treasurer.

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Symphony Society elected officers and board members at its recent annual meeting and awards luncheon in the Eleanor Beecher Flad Pavilion at the DeYor Performing Arts Center.

Placed in nomination by Sarah Brown-Clark, nominating committee chairman, and appointed to office were Florence Wang, chairman of the board; Monsignor Robert Siffrin, vice chairman; Jay A. Crafton, secretary; and Judy R. Sees, treasurer.

Wang has been a leader in the Mahoning Valley more than 30 years. She also serves on the boards of the American Heart Association, American Red Cross Mahoning Chapter, Butler Institute of American Art and Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. As an Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission consultant and honorary member of the Federation Overseas Chinese Association, Wang promotes and coordinates international, cultural and business exchanges. She is married to Dr. Hai Shui Wang. They have four daughters and five grandchildren.

Artis Gillam Sr. was elected to complete an unexpired term on the board of directors, and Brown-Clark, Crafton, Dr. Derrick Jackson, David Kosec, Diana McDonald, Rev. Christopher McKee Jr., John Moliterno, Siffrin, JoAnn Stock, Dorothy Tesner, Joe Rudenic and Scott Zoldan were elected to a three-year term on the board. James L. Dunlap was elected for an honorary life membership.

Retiring board members are Susan Berny, Dr. Y.T. Chiu Jr., Nora Chrystal, David Dobstaff, Gerald Dreier, the Rev. Lewis Macklin, Rich Morgan and Thomas Phillips.

Awards were presented to Phillips, retiring chairman of the board; James Baker, vice chairman; Mercy Komar, secretary; and Gerald Dreier, treasurer. Brown-Clark, Carol Fithian and Tesner received achievement awards for their work on Young Peoples Concerts, and Michael Verich received an award of accommodation for his assistance to the symphony in receiving a state capital appropriation grant.

Donna Collins, Ohio Arts Council executive director, discussed the role of board memberships, the challenges faced by art organizations and the work of the OAC.

Wang announced her advisory committee: Chiu, Thomas Humphries and John MacIntosh.

Musical entertainment was provided by The Amici Quartet, consisting of John Wilcox, first violin; Elizabeth Jones, second violin; James Dunlap, viola; and Michael Gelfand, cello.