On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the Annual Pottery Show and Sale will be held in the Multipurpose Room of the Williams Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to benefit the University Police Criminal Justice Scholarship Fund.
Local potters will be selling their handcrafted mugs, trays, bowls, and jewelry and also donating a portion of their proceeds to benefit the University Police Criminal Justice Scholarship Fund (CJSF) established through the Fredonia College Foundation. Potters include Fredonia faculty and staff members Dr. Ted Lee (Biology); Dr. David Rudge (Music) and Chief Ann Burns (University Police). Other potters who will be selling their works are Michele Ballachino, former Fredonia instructor Ann Janik, Debbie Kotar, Rhonda Lee, Carol Samuelson and Cynthia Fitzgerald.
CJSF was started in July 2009 by University Police Lieutenant Clifton Wheeler, who recognized a need for more scholarship opportunities for Criminal Justice majors at Fredonia. Each year the fund strives for a $10,000 endowment award to present to a deserving criminal justice student.
Chief Burns noted, “The University Police Department has almost 100 percent giving from their employees to the CJSF. Each person takes a certain amount out of their paycheck every two weeks to give to the scholarship.” This is considered an important contribution and act of dedication by UPD employees, especially during the tough economic times and unstable economy in the past few years.
In addition to the pottery sale and personal donations by employees, the UPD also hosts a yearly golf tournament through the foundation as a fundraising opportunity to support the CJSF. “We all understand the need to help young people”, explained Burns.
All of the potters created their works on the pottery wheels at Mudslingers, a pottery studio in downtown Fredonia owned and operated by Fredonia alumnus Ron Nasca, who is a strong supporter and teacher of the potters.
