By Barbara Rea
February 23, 2001
Whitney and the late Jane Harris, a husband and wife who have given generously to the St. Louis community over the years, devised a way to give an enduring gift to the community. Their approach to philanthropy was the establishment in 1999 of the Jane and Whitney Harris Saint Louis Community Service Award.
 Recipients of the Jane and Whitney Harris Saint Louis Community Service Award are (from left): Leigh and Alice Gerdine, who received the award for their dedication to the improvement of St. Louis; and Ron Himes, founder and producing director of the St. Louis Black Repertory Company. The Gerdines donated the cash prize to the Black Rep. Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton (right) presented the award at a ceremony Feb. 14. |
This year marks the second annual presentation of the award, whereby a husband-wife couple are chosen to receive the prize based on their dedication to improving the St. Louis region. The cash award is then designated to the organization of the winning couple's choice.
On Feb. 14, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton presented the Harris Community Award to Alice and Leigh Gerdine. The Gerdines, in turn, donated the $25,000 prize to one of their favorite organizations, the St. Louis Black Repertory Company.
"On behalf of the late Jane Harris, and Whitney, I am pleased to present this community service award, which recognizes and pays tribute to Alice and Leigh Gerdine, two of St. Louis' most generous and valuable citizens," Wrighton said.
The University is charged with administering the annual program, which is open to all husband-wife couples in the metropolitan area, in accordance with Jane Harris' bequest. Whitney, who is now remarried, attended the award program with his new wife, the former Anna Galakatos.
"The Gerdines are outstanding members of the philanthropic community and have made lasting contributions to the educational and artistic vitality of St. Louis," said William H. Danforth, chancellor emeritus and chairman of the committee charged with administering the award. "Although there were many worthy nominations, the Gerdines were most deserving of this unique tribute."
Leigh Gerdine's career and community associations are linked to the advancement of education and music. From 1950 to 1970 he served as Blewett Professor and chaired the department of music at Washington University. For the next 20 years he served as president of Webster University and now holds the title of president emeritus. Under his leadership, Webster University built the Loretto-Hilton Center and helped establish the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, which performs there. Because of his initiatives to support the arts at Webster, the university's College of Fine Arts was named in his honor.
Other institutions Leigh has helped are The Sheldon Arts Foundation, where he spearheaded the revitalization of its concert hall and ballroom; and the Saint Louis Symphony, as a former manager and as a force in acquiring what is now Powell Symphony Hall. In addition, he has been active in many organizations, including the Arts and Education Council, Rankin Technical College and the St. Louis Community Foundation.
Alice Gerdine shares her husband's interest in music and education. She served on the board of directors of the Saint Louis Symphony and chaired the committee for the development of its youth orchestra. For many years, Alice presided over what is now the symphony's Community Music School. As a founding member of the local Reading Is FUNdamental (RIF) program, she has helped a generation of children in the inner city develop a love of reading. Mentor St. Louis also benefits from her interest and involvement in educational issues for the underprivileged. Furthermore, Alice keeps very active, serving on the boards of the Saint Louis Art Museum and the Daniel Webster Society at Webster University.
On hand to accept the cash prize on behalf of the Black Rep was Ron Himes, founder and producing director. Himes is also a lecturer in African and Afro-American Studies at Washington University. Also present from the Black Rep was Deborah Dunham, president of its board of directors.
"Jane and Whitney Harris were friends and supporters of the Black Rep," Himes said. "We appreciate that Leigh and Alice Gerdine would extend such support and generosity to the Black Rep."
The St. Louis Black Repertory Company is the largest African-American performing arts organization in Missouri and one of the five largest African-American companies in the country. The Black Rep is committed to providing platforms for the theater, dance and other creative expressions from the African-American perspective that heighten the social and cultural awareness of its audiences. The company is in its 24th season. Through its education and main-stage productions, the Black Rep reaches an audience exceeding 60,000 each year.
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