By Kaitlin Andorfer
The Audio, Video, Film Department’s annual Friends of Max Kolb Telethon, held in Dempster Hall on May 1, raised over $3,000.
All proceeds from the telethon, which was broadcasted on HTV, went to the Max Benjamin Kolb Endowed Scholarship.
The foundation was established to honor the memory of Max B. Kolb, an undergraduate student at the University who demonstrated a unique enthusiasm and appreciation for film studies.
Kolb, 21, was stabbed to death by a dorm-mate, Shaun Alexander, in April 2001. Kolb, a regular on the dean’s list, met with Alexander who said he needed a friend when the two met to talk.
Alexander allegedly became enraged and attacked Kolb. Alexander was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
The scholarship was created in collaboration with Kolb’s mother and the University’s development office to assist other dedicated students pursue a degree in audio/video/film in the School of Communications by helping lessen the financial burden of film production costs.
The scholarship is awarded to deserving undergraduate film studies and production majors in the form of cash grants.
The AVF faculty selects recipients on the basis of financial need, talent in film studies and overall academic achievement.
Jill Alboum, a senior television production major and associate producer of the telethon, said preparation began early in the semester.
The telethon was entirely student- run by a crew of over 40 students in AVF 165 and AVF 14 classes, Alboum said.
The telethon featured live performances from both students and members of the community. Talent included a piano player, singers and a taped performance from Danceworks.
Some featured items auctioned during the telethon were two tickets to a Yankees game in luxury seats, signed scripts from “One Life to Live” and “As the World Turns,” a Bernie Williams autographed CD and an autographed ESPN banner.
“We are beyond thrilled with the talent, the work of our classmates and the overall turnout of the telethon,” said Alboum. “We exceeded our goal by $800 and we were very, very happy to beat it.”