Siena’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (CURCA) received nearly $10,000 from a fundraiser held at a soft opening for Bellini’s Italian Eatery’s new location on Route 9 Thursday evening. The event offered a glimpse of the new restaurant as well as a free food tasting. Donations to CURCA were accepted at the door.
“The funds raised will be applied directly to the summer research program at Siena, allowing more student-faculty proposed research projects to receive funding,” said Cheryl Buff ’82, director of CURCA. “This program provides our students with an opportunity to explore relevant topics in their majors and to better position themselves for future careers and graduate school.”
Bellini’s owner Joe Marrello, his wife Lisa (Nichols) Marrello ’90 and his sister Lisa Marrello ’88 helped organize the event with Siena College.
“I am grateful to Bellini’s and our Development Office for arranging such an amazing event. Additionally, I am grateful to all of the Siena and Bellini supporters that attended the event and generously donated to CURCA,” Buff said.
Siena has raised $1,556,830 toward CURCA’s $3.5 million goal.
