The 31st Annual UNI Varsity Men's Glee Club Christmas Shows were highlighted by excellent music and the addition of 10 new Kingpins to the Les Hale Endowment Fund. That brings the total of new Kingpins to 12 since Sept 1.
The 2008 UNI Varsity Men's Glee Club Christmas Variety Shows were a resounding success this past weekend in the Great Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. All three performances of the show were sold out, marking the 21st consecutive year for such a ticket sales milestone. Highlights from the three performances included traditional performances of "Lo, How a Rose e're Blooming," "The First Noel," and a special arrangement of "Do You Hear What I Hear" in which the Glee Club got it's collective groove on. During all three performances, Dr. Brad Barrett took time to recognize long-time Christmas Variety Show organist Father Paul Peters for his thirty years of service to the Men's Glee Club.

Added to these highlights were the commitments made by 12 Glee Club Alumni to become Bob Byrnes Kingpins. These latest pledges to the Les Hale Endowment Fund follow the recent announcement of the 'Fulfilling the Promise Campaign', a return to the original $300,000 endowment fundraising goal first envisioned by former director Bob Byrnes. It is the hope of the Les Hale Endowment Fund Board of Directors that this goal can be achieved in time for the 50th Anniversary of the UNI Varsity Men's Glee Club in 2010. With the contributions of the following 12 alumni, the campaign is off to a wonderful start in ensuring the future of the Glee Club for many generations to come:

Brent Bierstedt '02
Adam Brickley '07
Joe Divoky '06 & '08
Dan Gleason '07
Michael Gleason '06 & '08
Kevin Grieme '07
Adam Hoffman '06
Derek Rodgers '06
Eric Schettler '06
Alex Staudinger
Troy Tabbert '05
TJ Warren '08

In addition to these new Kingpins, several current Kingpins have also renewed their support of the Les Hale Endowment Fund with additional pledges above and beyond their original commitments:

Craig Dickinson '81 - Gold Kingpin
Steve Heinle '93 - Gold Kingpin
Austin Jones '86 - Gold Kingpin
Adam Riley '02 - Bronze Kingpin (Lifetime Pledge)

"Fulfilling The Promise" is an ambitious 28-month campaign to bring the Les Hale Endowment Fund to $300,000 in cash and pledges by December of 2010. Two people have joined the Kingpin ranks since the campaign began: Brent Bierstedt ('02) and Derek Rodgers ('06). The Glee Club thanks these gentlemen for their dedication, and we welcome them as Kingpins.
Mr. Adam Riley, LHEF board chairman, officially kicked off the campaign Sept. 1, 2008, with a video: Fulfilling The Promise Video

The fund was started in 1997 by former director Bob Byrnes to help ensure the future of the Glee Club. It has been very successful to date, reaching the $200,000 mark in cash and pledges.
No other UNI group or organization, with the exception of athletics, has anything like the Les Hale Endowment Fund.

Please watch for more information to come and visit unigleeclub.com to learn how you can participate in this campaign. With a Kingpin pledge of as little as $16.67/month or a one-time donation, you can join us in honoring the UNI Varsity Men's Glee Club and help fulfill the promise of the Les Hale Endowment Fund. Brothers, Sing On!

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