The College of Arts and Sciences is very fortunate to have had so many faculty, staff, students and friends that left lasting impacts on the college as well as the entire University. Professor David Hortin was one of those individuals and we are honored to carry on his legacy with a scholarship.
Leaving a lasting legacy through a scholarship is a wonderful and time-honored way to remember those who shaped our lives and our communities. In recent months, another such scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Leonard Riccinto, a professor of music at EMU.
Dr. Riccinto taught for 21 years and among his many accomplishments was founding Measure To Measure, a men’s choral society.
He died Dec. 11 at the age of 65. Before he retired in August 2006, Dr. Riccinto directed the University and Chamber Choirs and taught choral conducting and secondary-school vocal methods. Among his many other accomplishments was performing at New York’s Carnegie Hall. To memorialize his impact on the University, its students and the community, The Leonard Riccinto Memorial Endowed Music Scholarship was established and quickly endowed.
“Leonard Riccinto was a man passionate about his art who gave selflessly of his time and energies in the name of music education at Eastern Michigan University and beyond,” said Kristy Meretta, coordinator of EMU music and dance events. “He believed deeply in the power of music and the enrichment of human lives through choral music activities. His dynamic personality, knowledge, musicianship and kind manner touched thousands of lives. His many friends and colleagues in the department of music and dance will miss him very much.”
The Riccinto scholarship is just the latest example of legacies created to honor those who have made such an impact. We encourage others to memorialize a loved one by establishing a scholarship to create a lasting memory – and to make a difference in the life of a student.
Dr. Riccinto taught for 21 years and among his many accomplishments was founding Measure To Measure, a men’s choral society.