MOBILE, Ala. – A Steinway grand piano built in 1924 has a new home at University of Mobile, thanks to a donation from a couple in Fairhope, Alabama.
Development Officer Tonya Gollotte said the university needs $53,000 in the next few months to complete the campaign and become an All-Steinway School. A couple from Naples, Florida, Sherry Turner and Mike Atkins, contributed a matching challenge donation of $250,000 last year to kick-start the campaign.
The Mapps learned of the university’s goal and, in addition to making a financial gift, donated their own Steinway in memory of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Faulkner.
"We have been thinking for some time that we wanted to downsize,” Louis Mapp said. They looked for a special home for the Steinway.
"We wanted to be sure it had a home where it would be used and cared for. When we read about University of Mobile’s Steinway project, we thought that was an answer from heaven. It couldn’t be going to a better place,” Mapp said.
What made the donation even more special to the Mapps was a family connection – their daughter and two grandchildren are currently enrolled at the Christian university.
Their daughter, Leslie Dees, is returning to school to earn a nursing degree. Grandson Hayden Dees is a senior who plays on the soccer team, and granddaughter Mary Cameron Dees is a junior.
"We’ve been talking about this for several years,” Mapp said. "You know how you know something is right? This is right. Having those connections is the icing on the cake.
"It would make my grandparents feel really good. We’re thrilled,” he added.
For information about the All Steinway, All Together campaign, or to make a donation, go towww.umobile.edu/steinway or contact Gollotte at 251.442.2917 or tgollotte@umobile.edu.