2016 Augusta University President’s Gala shoots for the stars!

By Tina Baggott, Associate VP for Alumni and Donor Engagement

The Augusta community arrived at the J. Harold Harrison, M.D. Education Commons Saturday evening, dressed to the nines, in celebration of the 2016 Augusta University President’s Gala.

This year’s gala raised more than $270,000 in support of needs-based student scholarships and was attended by more than 400 of the university’s most committed friends.

The gala featured musical performances from several of our student musicians including the Augusta University Jazz Ensemble and the Augusta University Opera Ensemble. Other notable highlights included a heartfelt presentation from Augusta University sophomore LeDarius Scott, who shared his personal scholarship impact story, as well as from this year’s honorary gala chairs, Patty and Dan Blanton. Patty works with her family’s business and manages a very successful wedding venue, and Dan is a local businessman and immediate past president of the American Bankers Association, who emphasized the importance of the partnership between our community and our university.

President Brooks Keel capped off the evening with a passionate appeal for continued financial support of student scholarships followed by the awarding of the 2016 President’s Award to M. Bert Storey, namesake of the M. Bert Storey Cancer Research Building. Following the program, guests danced the night away under the stars while celebrating the funds that were raised in support of our own Augusta University student stars.

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