Folklife Center Groundbreaking Oct. 11

A ceremonial groundbreaking is planned on Thursday, Oct. 11, for The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center at Fairmont State University.

The event will take place at 2 p.m. at the Squibb Wilson Boulevard Entrance of campus at the site of the future home of the center. A light reception of old-fashioned sweets and hot cider will follow the ceremony, along with a sampler of folk music, such as mandolin, banjo, guitar, fiddle, recorder and whistle, featuring Patty Looman and Lynette Swiger on hammered dulcimers. The favor of an RSVP is requested by Friday, Oct. 5, to Judy Biafore, Administrative Assistant, Office of the Provost, at (304) 367-4192 or via e-mail to jbiafore@fairmontstate.edu.

Fairmont State alumni Frank and Jane Gabor of Baltimore, Md., made a generous gift through the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc. that will be applied to the adaptive reuse of the historic properties, on the west side of campus, formerly known as The Colonial Apartments (circa 1941) and The Kennedy Barn (circa 1903) on the original site of the Michael Kennedy Dairy Farm.

"The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center at Fairmont State will pay tribute to the settlers from the wide variety of ethnic and cultural groups who made this region their home," said Dr. Judy P. Byers, Abelina Suarez Senior Professor of English and Folklore and Director of the West Virginia Folklife Center."It will additionally benefit the preservation of West Virginia folklore, culture, art and history."

Frank "Pooch" Gabor, formerly from Grant Town, is the son of Frank and Theresa Gabor. Upon discharge from the Air Force, he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Fairmont State. He serves on the Fairmont State Foundation Board of Directors and the Fairmont State Alumni Association Board. He is a past recipient of both the Fairmont State University Letterman of Distinction and Outstanding Alumni awards.

Jane Gabor, the daughter of Hiriam "Baz" and Mary Clellan White, is a 1960 graduate of Fairmont State. A native of Nutter Fort, she graduated from Roosevelt Wilson High School. She is a past recipient of the Alumni of the Year award.

The Gabors currently reside in Baltimore, Md., and are the parents of two adult children. They both serve as members of the Presidents' Leadership Council.

The Folklore-Folklife Programs, a division of the Department of Language and Literature in the College of Liberal Arts of FSU and the School of Human Services in Pierpont Community & Technical College of FSU, are dedicated to the identification, preservation and perpetuation of our region's rich cultural heritage through academic studies, educational programs, festivals, performances and publications.

The Annual Folklife Center Gala is planned for 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, in the Colebank Hall gym at FSU. Tickets are $25 at the door. Advance tickets are $15 and may be purchased by calling (304) 367-4009. Admission is free for children younger than 12 and FSU students with ID. The event will feature a silent auction, folk music, art, Italian heritage dancing, demonstrations and exhibits. Also during the event, the WV Italian Heritage Festival of Clarksburg will be honored with the 2007 B.B. Maurer WV Folklife Award and Rosalyn Burnett Queen Alonso will receive the 2007 Traditions Salute Award.

For more information on the Folklife Center, call Dr. Judy P. Byers, Director, at (304) 367-4286 or Noel W. Tenney, Cultural Specialist, at (304) 367-4403.

For more information on giving or naming opportunities or to create an endowment in support of The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center at Fairmont State, contact the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc. at (304) 367-4009 or toll-free at (866) 372-2586.