RMA Theater to be named, dedicated Oct. 19

GAINESVILLE - Riverside Military Academy (RMA) alumnus Carlos Cervantes, '59, and his wife, Sandy, will be honored at Homecoming October 18-19. <br /> <br /> Because of their gift to the fine arts program at Riverside, the 700-seat theatre in the Sandy Beaver Center for Teaching and Learning will be named The Carlos and Sandra Cervantes Theatre for the Arts.<br /> <br /> The dedication, which is open to the public, begins at 11:00 Saturday, October 19, in the theatre.<br /> <br /> RMA officials say the Cervantes' gift of $400,000 will provide enhancements to the fine arts program as well as merit scholarships for cadets with exceptional talent in the areas of art, music, or theatre. The funds will also provide for maintenance of the theatre and travel and performance opportunities for cadets.<br /> <br /> "This generous gift from Carlos and Sandy Cervantes will allow Riverside to continue to improve and expand cadet opportunities in the fine arts," said Colonel Jim Benson, Riverside's president. "Naming the theatre in their honor acknowledges Carlos' family legacy in show business. We are truly grateful."<br /> <br /> Cervantes spent two years at Riverside before graduating in 1959. He earned bachelor and master's degrees from Georgia Tech. He went on to a 32-year career, 23 years of which were at the partner level, with Arthur Andersen Worldwide (currently Accenture), which included leadership positions in the U.S., Brazil, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Spain, and EMEIA (Europe, Middle East, India, and Africa).<br /> <br /> Since his retirement in 1997, he has been on numerous boards, including the RMA Board of Trustees.<br /> <br /> "We have two reasons for supporting the arts at RMA," said Cervantes. "First is Riverside's commitment to educating the whole student and second is my family's show business legacy in a geographic footprint, which included Spain, South and Central America, the Caribbean, and the U.S."<br /> <br /> "We wish to pay homage to RMA and my family, both of which were so influential in our success in life," he added.<br /> <br /> He and his wife live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They have five children and nine grandchildren.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/10/266483