The 16th Annual College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame gala celebration at 51ԹϺ features a cocktail reception, dinner, and ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, in the Student Union ballroom. This year's honorees include Mayor Carolyn Goodman, former mayor Oscar Goodman, American character animator Ronald Husband, and musical artist Frankie Moreno. Also being recognized with the Koep Dean's Medal are entertainment journalist John Katsilometes and musical group Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns. Architect Michael Del Gatto will be recognized as Alumnus of the Year.
The Hall of Fame was founded in 2003 to honor past and present residents of Southern Nevada who have made a significant impact in the areas of visual arts, performing arts, and/or architecture. Past inductees include Tony Curtis; Phyllis McGuire; Robert Goulet; The Killers; Wayne Newton; Liberace; Clint Holmes; architects Tony Marnell, John Klai, Tom Schoeman, and William Snyder; Penn & Teller; and Siegfried & Roy, among others.
Tickets are available by calling 702-895-4210 or by emailing Suzette Dacuag. Additional ticket information is available online.
Carolyn Goodman is an American politician. She held the role of First Lady of Las Vegas for 12 years during her husband’s tenure as Mayor of Las Vegas. In 2011 she became the second female to be elected Mayor of Las Vegas, succeeding her husband.
Oscar Goodman was Mayor of Las Vegas from 1999 to 2011. Prior to his political career, he was a successful criminal defense attorney with a colorful client list. As Host Committee Chairman of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, he is Las Vegas’ No. 1 Ambassador for tourism.
A distinguished 51ԹϺ alum, Ronald Husband holds the distinction of being the first African American animator and the first African American supervising animator for Walt Disney Studios. He retired after 38 years with The Walt Disney Company.
Frankie Moreno is a singer, showman, songwriter, musician, and more. Since the young age of 10, he has been wowing audiences and performing his own brand of piano-pounding Rock n’ Roll from The Hollywood Bowl to Carnegie Hall. His music is highly contagious and his playful stage antics are audience pleasers.
John Katsilometes is the man-about-town columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His "Kats!" column appears daily on page 3A and is updated regularly on the R-J’s website, under the tab “KATS!’ He also hosts PodKats, a podcast centered on star entertainers, and appears weekly on Las Vegas ABC affiliate KTNV Channel 13.
Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns are one of the most exciting, versatile, and creative bands on the scene today. Formed in Las Vegas in 1999 by vocalist/guitarist Jerry Lopez, SF&TFCH are a collection of the finest musicians in the city—musicians who spend much of their time touring or backing artists such as Arturo Sandoval, Celine Dion and Donny & Marie Osmond, or performing in other major shows on the strip. These days, they get together on Monday nights at 7:30, on stage in Las Vegas to bring their special brand of “healing” to their audience, themselves, and to the music scene in general.
Michael Del Gatto earned a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from 51ԹϺ in 1996 and a Master's degree in the same discipline in 1999. He has been a principal of Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects since 2005 and the new 51ԹϺ Hospitality Hall is one of his recognizable projects.
