The trio, who collaborate at Saidel’s home workspace and approach every project by donating the work and paying for the materials, diligently handcrafted the Schuster Hall podium from cherry, maple and walnut woods in roughly four months. This labor of love held deep significance for Saidel, a retired dentist, who became close friends with the late Dr. Benjamin Schuster, a retired cardiologist, as professional kindred spirits and passionate arts devotees.
Throughout the intricate construction process, Saidel remained mindful of Schuster and his late wife Marian’s monumental, philanthropic legacy within the Miami Valley and the WSU community. Schuster died Aug. 24 at age 89.
In 2009, Schuster notably initiated the $4.2 million renovation of Schuster Hall, which reopened earlier this year and hosts numerous performances by WSU students, faculty and guest artists. Although Schuster did not see the podium completed, Saidel, who eulogized him, was grateful to have received his blessing at the outset. He fondly recalls his friend’s good-natured attitude and infectious enthusiasm.
“Ben was so loving and so enthusiastic about everything and everybody,” said Saidel, 81. “I loved being around him. He was a great man and he made others feel great. Some people have that ability.”
“Ben was always positive,” echoed Prigozen, 94, a retired engineer. “He was gung-ho about everything.”
The podium, which can be raised and includes a ramp, specifically allows smoother accommodations for Dr. In-Hong Cha, WSU director of orchestral studies and associate professor of violin. A record holder of wheelchair track and field and marathon in Korea, Cha not only expresses deep appreciation to Saidel and his team for their generosity and thoughtfulness but is thrilled the podium will be dedicated to Schuster.
“It’s wonderful to have such a great podium match the beauty of Schuster Hall with its great acoustics and design,” he said. “It is more meaningful to me that this podium is dedicated to Dr. Benjamin Schuster who was one of my biggest fans, attended most of my concerts and supported me in many ways. I believe the last concert he attended was the WSU Symphony Orchestra concert I conducted at the end of May.”
“Dr. Schuster saw the concert hall several times before he died and loved it,” added Dr. Randall Paul, chair of the WSU music department. “The new podium especially incorporates the same wood and design, matching the unique characteristics of the hall while enhancing the space visually. It is a meaningful gift emotionally and practically. There’s no doubt in my mind that Ben and Marian would have loved it.”
Paul is also quick to acknowledge Schuster’s willingness to spearhead with actions, which is crucial to arts initiatives in uncertain economic times.
“Often people view the arts as something extra, but Dr. Schuster was a visionary and a leader not only through his speaking but his actions as well,” he said. “In a very tangible way he showed Wright State and everyone else that the arts really mattered. The biggest contribution to our students is that they can see, every day from now on, that people in this community value what they are doing.”
Continually inspired by the memory of Saidel’s late son David, struck and killed by a car in 1987 at age 22 after climbing Mount Olympus in Greece, the fearless God Squad is eager to create more pieces across the area. In fact, they are currently crafting a bench for the Dayton Early College Academy Prep School. As the Schuster Hall podium dedication approaches, they are honored to know their work stands as a fitting tribute to Schuster and a beneficial addition for WSU.
“We wanted to do this for Ben and for Wright State,” said Saidel. “We have great affection for Wright State. We are very supportive of Wright State’s arts programs and academics.”
“It’s amazing how Wright State has developed over the years and is still developing,” Prigozen said.
The dedication ceremony, which is free, will begin at 8 p.m. The program will feature remarks by Saidel and selections from the standard orchestral repertoire. For more information, contact the WSU music department at (937) 775-2346. Wright State is located at 3640 Col. Glenn Highway, Fairborn.
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