TO: The Architects Newspaper, LLC October 18, 2017

Jason Sayer
21 Murray Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10007

Dear Mr. Sayer,

Modern, professional, and cutting-edge. Those are three terms in short to depict Atlantic
Universitys latest architectural project, the Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing
Arts. Dr. Bernard and Mrs. Sophia Gordon have made another impactful donation toward a state-
of-the-art facility for a local university.
Dr. Gordon is one of the worlds preeminent engineers and inventors. His commitments to
his work have been instrumental to enriching lives through his advancements in technology.
Gordon expresses his gratitude toward his wife Sophia for being the foundation of love and
happiness in his life. In return, he contributes donations giving namesakes to her. Prominent
structures include Sophia Gordon Hall at Tufts University and Sophia Gordon Cancer Center at
Lahey Hospital.
I thought Id take the opportunity to inform you of an event that could be of interest to your
innovative-readers. Atlantic University in Salem, Massachusetts is unveiling its latest
development. The Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts. A five-year project
attracting over $26.5 million with 12,000 donations, it is Atlantic Universitys largest
comprehensive funding effort. The naming rights were given to Bernard and Sophia Gordon who
donated $6.6 million including $3 million for renovations. The other $3.6 million paved the way
for structuring the theater, visual arts, dance, music, and creative-writing programs.
Andrea Leers, the renovation architect, described the former building built in the 1950s as
more comparable to a high school auditorium than a theater. Leers architectural concepts included
an orchestra pit, balcony seating, and the overall layout guidelines.
A ceremony will take place presenting Atlantic University with the following awards:
The American Architects Association Excellence in Renovation Design
The American Theater Guild Excellence in Renovated Theatre Design
The American Association of Construction Engineers Excellence in Renovation Engineering
The Association of American Theatre Lighting Designers Excellence in Lighting System Design
United States Green Building Council Leed Silver Certificate
The unveiling of the new performing arts theater will take place on Friday November 20,
2017 from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. I would be more than pleased to schedule an interview with lead
architect Andrea Leers. I can provide any additional background information and photos you may
need to prepare your story. I will follow up next week to ask about your level of interest in this
story.
Please call me at any time if you need more information to formulate your decision. I look
forward to hearing back from you.

Best,
Christina E. Hillner