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Cheers
to Casey
Peter
Casey (B.A., '75), executive producer of NBC's Emmy
Award-winning "Frasier," has always been more than generous
with his alma mater.
In 1997, he couldn't attend the 50th birthday party of the Broadcast
and Electronic Communication Arts Department, but made up for it by
sending a congratulatory videotaped message that helped show why he's
had a successful career in comedy.
The message began with Casey sharing his pride in being an alumnus of
SFSU. He was soon joined on camera by Kelsey Grammer, who said regretfully
that he had been subjected to the Julliard School, and David Hyde Pierce,
who lamented that he was forced to attend Yale.
Over the years, Casey, who has also led the creative efforts of "The
Jeffersons," "Cheers" and "Wings," has visited
SFSU to offer students production and writing advice. In 2000, he hosted
a reception for broadcast alumni on the Paramount set of "Frasier."
His latest generosity to the University: the newly established Peter
and Rosemary Casey Endowment Fund for Broadcast and Electronic Communication
Arts Education. Named for Casey and his wife, who graduated from SFSU
in 1981, the pledged gift of $500,000 will go a long way in helping
prepare students for television careers.
The gift will bring new, state-of-the-art microphones, cameras and computer
imaging equipment to Studio 1, the department's hub for television production.
In fall 2005, the gift will also help bring to campus professional writers,
producers and directors to serve as faculty-in-residence.
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