Heather Coltman, DMA, Dean of the Dorothy F. Schmidt
College of Arts and Letters at Florida Atlantic University,
accepted a check for $50,000 for its scholarship program
from Ronald A. Schagrin, chairman, and Elias Porras,
secretary, of the Georgina Dieter Dennis Foundation.
MIAMI, FL, May 9, 2013 - Commercial real estate broker Ronald
Schagrin met Georgina Dieter Dennis when she had retired to Fort
Lauderdale following a glittering career as a singer and vaudeville
entertainer. Today Schagrin and Elias Porras are officers of a
foundation that keeps Ms. Dennis' name alive by supporting aspiring singers.
 |
| Gilda Radner |
Schagrin and Porras, brokers with Colliers International
South Florida, say this is their way of giving back to the community that has
been good to them.
The colleagues, who are based in Colliers' Fort Lauderdale
office, have been handling commercial, retail, and industrial sales and leases
in South Florida for more than 25 years.
Schagrin's volunteer activities extend to Gilda's Club South
(named for the late Gilda Radner) where he was a founder and also served
as board chair. Gilda's Club is an organization that benefits men, woman and
children whose lives have been touched by cancer.
 |
| Georgina Dieter Dennis 1932 Broadway Musical Playbill Photo |
Heather Coltman, DMA, Dean of the Dorothy F. Schmidt
College of Arts and Letters at Florida Atlantic University, accepted a check
for $50,000 for its scholarship program from Ronald A. Schagrin, chairman, and
Elias Porras, secretary, of the Georgina Dieter Dennis Foundation.
Georgina Dieter Dennis (1913-2006) was just 12 years old
when she won the New York Music Week Association Junior Bronze Medal.
A scholarship to the Institute of Musical Arts of the Juilliard Foundation led to a long career, starting with her debut at New York's Town Hall in 1937. Ms. Dennis performed in all 48 states during World War II and appeared for the USO with James Victor's band.
A scholarship to the Institute of Musical Arts of the Juilliard Foundation led to a long career, starting with her debut at New York's Town Hall in 1937. Ms. Dennis performed in all 48 states during World War II and appeared for the USO with James Victor's band.
When she was in her
nineties, Ms. Dennis, grateful for the early voice training she had received,
set up her foundation to provide scholarships to aspiring singers who are
Florida residents attending Florida colleges or universities.
Florida Atlantic University and the University of Miami music programs qualified for this year's scholarship grants.
Florida Atlantic University and the University of Miami music programs qualified for this year's scholarship grants.
Schagrin and
Porras, who had met her socially, volunteered to help Ms. Dennis set up the
foundation and, following her death in 2006, committed to administer its work
by handing out scholarships to eligible vocal music programs at Florida
universities. The funds disbursed are then administered by the host schools.
For a complete copy of the company’s news release, please
contact:
Crystal Proenza
Vice President of Marketing
Colliers International South Florida
Commercial Real Estate Services
Tel: 305 476 7138
Email: crystal.proenza@colliers.com
