Drummer's Memory Lives on Through Georgia Southern Scholarship
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Georgia Southern's percussion faculty member, Dr. Matt Fallin (seated), Dinah and Fred Gretsch and a Georgia Southern percussion student (standing).
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Savannah, GA - When Savannah's legendary
drummer, Ernie Gadzos, passed away in June
2005, Fred Gretsch sought a way to honor
his dear friend and longtime Gretsch Music
Company employee. At Georgia Southern
University he found an inspiring method of
keeping Ernie's memory alive. He created
the Ernie Gadzos Scholarship in Music with
funding from the Gretsch Foundation.
"To honor Mr. Gadzos, Fred and Dinah
Gretsch have given a generous contribution
to endow a scholarship for a music student
studying percussion at Georgia Southern,"
said William I. Griffis, president of the
Georgia Southern Foundation. "His gift of
$50,000 will be held in perpetuity, with
annual interest being used to award a
scholarship each year to a deserving music
student."
"This gift will allow a student with musical
promise to study with Georgia Southern's
top-notch percussion instructors and be part
of several nationally-recognized
instrumental ensembles," said Allen
Henderson, chair of the music department. "The Music Department Scholarship
Committee will select the recipient based on audition results and academic
qualifications, and the scholarship will be renewable for four years."
Ernie Gadzos began playing drums at the age of 18, traveling for 30 years with the
Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra, and other big bands. He worked
for several drum shops in Chicago and then in 1986, he and his wife moved to Savannah
to join the Gretsch Music Company. He spent the last 20 years helping drummers and
dealers from around the world find the right performance and recording drums for their
specific needs.
Those interested in adding their contribution to the Ernie Gadzos Scholarship in Music
may contact Allen Henderson, chair of the Georgia Southern Department of Music, at
912-681-0144. To learn more about this and other Georgia Southern scholarships,
contact the University's Financial Aid Office at 912-681-5413 or visit the web site at
http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/finaid/. Georgia Southern's media contact is
Loretta Brandon, 912-681-0336.
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