On Monday, October 24, we hosted an official dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting for the Salata Technology & Innovation Center. Administration, alumni, benefactors and friends gathered in the building dedicated in honor of Cathedral Prep graduate and project donor Jean Eric Salata ’84 and his parents, Orlando and Hilda Salata. The event marked Jean’s first visit to the building since its completion.
Salata generously gave $5 million to help fund the new construction and renovations at Cathedral Prep. Upon hearing about the Prep/Villa consolidation, he was encouraged by the ambition his alma mater was showing with plans to provide both young men and women in Erie with an education that would be unmatched in the region.
“Education is more than just about learning reading, writing and arithmetic,” Salata said on Monday. “It’s also about the values that Prep instills, of humility and respect; I have been lucky.”
Salata was presented with two special gifts during the ceremony. The first was an original water color painting of the Salata Technology & Innovation Center, created by local artist and graduate of Villa Maria Academy, Helen Tullio ’13VMA. The second was a laser etching of the Salata Technology & Innovation Center created upstairs in our STEAM Center by faculty member, Doug Vicary.
Cathedral Prep played an integral role in his life, and his gift ensures that a prestigious Catholic education will be available to students in the Erie community for many years to come. We are truly grateful for Jean’s incredible gift to our school and the lasting impact he has made on our community.
