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Community Corner

Detroit Public Television Debuts 2013 Fall Season And Honors Two Northville Community Leaders At "Premiere Night"

In celebration of the 2013 fall line-up and to honor four Southeastern Michigan community leaders, Detroit Public Television (DPTV) will host its 12th Annual Premiere Night gala on Thursday, Sept. 26. Held at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, the event will begin at 6 p.m.

 

Premiere Night is DPTV’s signature fundraising event, which unveils the new PBS fall season and a variety of new local DPTV productions. Widely regarded as one of the most anticipated fundraising events in Metro Detroit, guests of Premiere Night will enjoy an elegant evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, a live auction, a sneak preview of PBS and DPTV programs and the presentation of DPTV’s dedicated community leader awards.

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The 2013 award winners are as follows:

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John W. Porter Leadership Award: Melonie B. Colaianne

Demonstrating outstanding leadership and a commitment to the vitality of Detroit Public Television and Southeastern Michigan, Melonie B. Colaianne of Northville will be honored with the John W. Porter Leadership Award.

 

Colaianne, president of the Masco Corporation Foundation at its world headquarters in Taylor, led the vision and procurement of funding for two key DPTV initiatives supporting U.S. military and veterans and a  “Be Humane” project focused on the treatment of animals. As immediate past chair of the DPTV Board of Trustees, she was instrumental in developing the organizational structure, mission, vision and other key initiatives for DPTV’s increasing role as a community convener, collaborator and problem solver.

 

Previous years’ winners are Mariam Noland (2012), Richard E. Rassel (2011), Kimberly & Ken Whipple (2010), James B. Nicholson (2009), Barbara and Frederick Erb Family (2008), Susan Cooper (2007) and John W. Porter, for whom the award is named (2006).

 

Detroit Public Television Partnership Award: Michael J. Brennan and United Way for Southeastern Michigan

As a partner strengthening the community by consistently improving lives and communities across Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, Michael J. Brennan of Northville and United Way for Southeastern Michigan will be honored with the Detroit Public Television Partnership Award.

 

United Way for Southeastern Michigan and its president and CEO Brennan developed the Agenda for Change, focusing on three impact areas: educational preparedness, financial stability and basic needs. In partnership with DPTV, extensive programming and supporting resources were developed to support early childhood development and support the caretakers responsible for guiding future generations.

 

Previous years’ winners are Hoda Succar (2012), Phil Power on behalf of The Center or Michigan in Ann Arbor (2011), University of Michigan-Dearborn (2010), DTE Energy (2009), MASCO Corporation (2008) and Ford Motor Company (2007).

 

Dolores & George Riley Stewardship Award: Dana Locniskar

With a passion and enthusiasm for the work and mission of DPTV, Dana Locniskar of Bloomfield Hills will be honored with the Dolores & George Riley Stewardship Award.

 

Locniskar, regularly recognized as one of the top financial advisors in the United States in Merrill Lynch’s Troy office, brings his extensive experience in asset management and philanthropic advice to his service on the Board for Detroit Public Television. His longtime stewardship has helped set the direction for the current, positive patch taken by DPTV.

Previous years’ winners are Jerry Jung (2012), Rosalie & Bruce Rosen (2011), Dr. Ronald Goldsberry (2010), William H. Smith (2009), Lois Shaevsky (2008), Edward Deeb (2007) and Dolores and George Riley, for whom the award is named (2006).

 

Detroit Public Television Visionary Award: Faye Alexander Nelson

A visionary leader for Michigan in the restorative efforts of the Detroit Riverfront, Faye Alexander Nelson of Troy will be honored with the Detroit Public Television Visionary Award.

 

Nelson, president and CEO of the nonprofit Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, is credited with transforming Detroit’s Riverfront by advancing waterfront public access and creating development space serving as an anchor for economic growth. The Conservancy represents one of the most successful public-private partnerships including foundations, corporations, the public sector and community at large.

 

Previous years’ winners are Nancy M. Schlichting (2012), Allan Gilmour (2011), Carol Goss (2010), Edsel B. Ford II (2009) and Congressman John Dingell (2008).

 

Event co-chairs for the 12th Annual Premiere Night are Pam & Todd Wyett of Bloomfield Hills.

 

To purchase tickets, contact Jill Schubiner at 248-305-3737 or jschubiner@dptv.org. Patron tickets to Premiere Night are $250 each, and benefactor tickets are $400 each.

 

Proceeds from Premiere Night support Detroit Public Television, which provides programs and online content that educate, entertain and in partnership with the community.

 

About Detroit Public Television

Detroit Public Television (DPTV) is the non-commercial, viewer-supported PBS-member station watched by more than 1.5 million people in Detroit and Southeast Michigan and another 1.2 million people throughout Canada. Information is available at dptv.org.

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