Keynote speaker John Lithgow builds STEAM at Second Initiative Luncheon for Palm Beach State College
500 community leaders, Palm Beach State College supporters and senior management from presenting sponsor Bank of America, spent the afternoon with Actor John Lithgow at the Foundation’s STEAM Initiative fundraiser at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, Fla.The event, titled, Inside the Mind of John Lithgow, chaired by local business executive and philanthropist Yvonne Boice was fascinating in part because the topics of conversation with Lithgow were as varied as the facets of his prolific career. His children’s books and live performances are vehicles for communicating his passion and inspiration – igniting a love for the arts in young people. “It’s about self-expression and I’m such an enthusiast because I know what it has added to my life,” said Lithgow.
“Lithgow is passionate about the role creativity and the arts can play in expanding the traditional approach to education, literacy and life. He was the perfect fit to continue the STEAM dialog,” said Yvonne Boice, event chair and foundation board member. “Lithgow represented my lifelong commitment to both the arts and education. The STEAM initiative includes the arts because we understand the integral role and basic contribution art makes to science, technology, engineering and math.”
The Initiative was created to impact the projected shortage of local, skilled professionals in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering Arts and Math) fields. The goal is to raise money to support STEAM scholarships, STEAM academic programs and to increase the number of student internships and partnerships with local businesses. The five-year initiative launched in 2013 featuring computer icon Steve Wozniak and has raised nearly $1 million.
During the Q & A session, he spoke candidly and drew on the creative and comedic skills seen in his Emmy-winning portrayal of the absurd alien commander Dick Solomon on “Third Rock From the Sun,” and his equally intense but dark “Trinity Killer,” in Dexter.
“Our school systems are embattled with cost cutting measures which has meant the arts first. An enlightened mind is an open mind and open mind is a keenly educable mind, “says Lithgow.
The actor is best known for his iconic roles in theatre, film and television and was nominated for Oscars for “The World According to Garp,” “Terms of Endearment” and “Twilight Zone.” He has appeared in more than 30 films and been nominated for 11 Emmy Awards and won five; He has written eight New York Times best-selling children’s picture books and a memoir.
Supporting sponsors included Balfour Beatty, Comcast, FPL, The Cultural Council, The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach Broadcasting and WXEL. For more information, call 561-868-3450 or visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/foundation/steam.
