Edison Community College
George Atkinson Named Chair For 2012 Holiday Evening 

Edison is pleased to announce George Atkinson as the Chair of the 2012 15th Annual Holiday Evening to benefit The Edison Fund, which provides scholarships that help make the dream of college possible for many local students. 

A member of the Piqua community for more than 30 years, Atkinson first joined the Foundation Board three years ago at the urging of past president Dr. Kenneth Yowell and board member Ann Baird. 

“I was pleased to encourage George to serve on the Foundation Board,” said Baird. “His forward thinking and attention to details and the bottom line have gotten the committee back to the true purpose of the Holiday Evening, to raise as much money as possible for Edison scholarships while providing an elegant evening for participants.”

Atkinson, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of TriVista, previously served as President of Hartzell Fan Inc. In addition to his extensive executive leadership experience, he has participated on a number of industry, civic and non-profit advisory boards. He resides in Piqua with his wife Connie, sharing four children and seven grandchildren between them. 

“I’ve always believed in giving back to the community, and it’s a real honor to serve as this year’s chair for the Holiday Evening,” said Atkinson. “This is not just a Piqua or Miami County event. It is a multi-county event, involving Edison staff and students, community leaders and businesses, who step up and help sponsor and support the event as well as the more than 400 people who attend.” 

The annual event plays a key role in raising money and awareness for The Edison Fund, which provides financial support for academics, athletics, cultural events, scholarship programs and initiatives of the Edison community. 

“Holiday Evening is one of the prime sources dedicated to supporting The Edison Fund through the Foundation Board,” he said. “Our goal is to try and increase the amount of funds we can contribute to the Edison Fund each year, thus allowing more scholarships to be awarded. This is greatly helped by our sponsors who help defray some of the cost of the event.” 

The entertainment for this year’s Holiday Evening is globally renowned musician Tim Janis, who will be bringing the sounds of the season to the Edison campus just one week after playing New York’s famed Carnegie Hall. 

“When we discussed with Tim about being our entertainment for this year’s 15th Annual Holiday Evening, we shared what our purpose was for the event – to help raise money for student scholarships,” said Atkinson. “He immediately checked his schedule and agreed to be our entertainment for the evening.” 

The annual holiday event has previously included performances by Australia’s The Ten Tenors, Straight No Chaser, The Toledo Symphony Orchestra, The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and former Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinson.

Now in its 15th year, the annual event has become a staple of the holiday season for many. 

“There’s great entertainment, good food and drink, holiday décor, and an opportunity to get dressed up and spend the evening with family and friends. Many people who have attended the event have said it is their “kick-off” to the start of the Holiday Season,” said Atkinson. “But most important, the attendees recognize that the proceeds go to create scholarships for Edison students, who without the Holiday Evening event and the funds it raises, may not be able to obtain an education.” 

Various levels of sponsorship are available for those interested in attending the event and supporting the more than 3,500 students who annually attend classes at Edison. Tickets are available through the Edison Foundation office by going online to www.edisonohio.edu/holidayevening, or by calling 937-778-7805 for more information. 

“Tickets are limited and they go fast,” he said. “You will have a great evening of food, drink and entertainment. Those that attend get the best of both worlds in my opinion. A great evening benefitting a great cause.”