AIDS benefit goes beyond expectations

Orange Coast College Professor Irini Vallera-Rickerson and her 900 guests embarked on a globe-trotting journey Friday night while also raising $12,000 to benefit student scholarships and the fight against AIDS.

Vallera-Rickerson’s 25th annual “Art and Architecture around the World” lecture filled every seat in the school’s Robert B. Moore Theatre.

The multimedia lecture presented the audience with the exotic locations in Africa, France, Greece, Spain and other countries around the world. A digital plane in the presentation, which the professor named the “Harmony Airline,” took viewers from site to site.

Performances from professional singer Julia Sutton and pianist Ron Levi entertained guests before the presentation began.

The art professor originally had a goal to raise $9,000 from the event’s ticket sales. But when the end amount exceeded her expectations, she said she could not have asked for a better surprise.

“To be able to go there was wonderful because when you’re just one person you don’t think you can make a difference,” she said. “But if everybody pulls just a little bit, it’s amazing what we can do.”

Proceeds will go toward the AIDS Service Foundation of Orange County’s Christmas Wish List for Children to provide for individuals suffering with AIDS and also Orange Coast College’s Care program to help single-parent students.

A portion of the funds will be dedicated to two OCC student scholarships — the PJ Freeman and David Torosian scholarships, both named after artists and friends of Vallera-Rickerson.

It has not been determined how much each scholarship will be worth. Vallera-Rickerson said they will be given out during a scholarship ceremony held at Orange Coast College in the spring.

“In one night at one college and one presentation, this is what can happen,” Vallera-Rickerson said. “I appreciated everyone who helped with the event. I’m also very moved to see so many of my former students, even from 25 years ago and retired faculty, at the theater to help me celebrate the 25th AIDS benefit anniversary.”