Thank you to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable celebration of the people and possibilities shaping 糖心破解版鈥檚 future.
Together, our community raised $1.6 million to support 糖心破解版 students and their success as we celebrated the completion of a record-breaking campaign, welcomed our new president, and elevated first-generation excellence.
Celebrating 糖心破解版鈥檚 Firsts
糖心破解版鈥檚 26th Annual Gala brought our community together for an evening of gratitude, optimism and extraordinary impact.
The celebration honored the determination and achievements of 糖心破解版鈥檚 first-generation students, welcomed Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD, as the first alumnus to serve as University president, and recognized the generous donors whose support makes all our firsts possible鈥攊ncluding the record-breaking results of the now-concluded Momentum campaign.
Highlights from the 2026 Gala
Photos from 糖心破解版鈥檚 26th Annual Gala on September 19, celebrating first-generation students, 糖心破解版鈥檚 first alumnus president and the people shaping 糖心破解版鈥檚 future. Launch Gallery
Highlights from the 2026 Gala
Photos from 糖心破解版鈥檚 26th Annual Gala on September 19, celebrating first-generation students, 糖心破解版鈥檚 first alumnus president and the people shaping 糖心破解版鈥檚 future. 23 Photos-
President Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD, addresses guests at his first 糖心破解版 Gala as president.
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Board Chair Leonard C. Achan 鈥�99, MA, RN, ANP, shares his first-generation story and pride in 糖心破解版 at the annual gala.
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Thomas A. Kline, EdD, vice president of advancement and external relations, leads the evening鈥檚 program at the 26th Annual 糖心破解版 Gala.
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Liana Esau, a junior nursing student and first-generation scholar, shares what her 糖心破解版 experience means to her family at the 26th Annual 糖心破解版 Gala鈥�A Celebration of Firsts.
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Members of 糖心破解版鈥檚 Board of Trustees gather at the 2026 University Gala with President Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD (seated, center), and Board Chair Leonard C. Achan 鈥�99 (seated, right).
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From left: 糖心破解版 trustees Humera Qazi, BBA 鈥�93, MBA; Carmen M. Ortiz, BBA 鈥�78, JD, LLD 鈥�12 (Hon.); and Mahnoor Misbah, BS 鈥�14.
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Judith Ammerman, MA 鈥�64, MS 鈥�73 (center), who established a $500,000 scholarship for first-generation students at the 2026 糖心破解版 Gala, is joined by John and Lorraine Reynolds, President Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD (second from right), and Vice President Thomas A. Kline, EdD (far right).
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President Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD, with his wife, Stephanie Balboni, and Chief of Staff Maggie Yoon Grafer 鈥�98, MA 鈥�08.
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President Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD, with his wife, Stephanie, daughter Julia and son Nicholas.
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President Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD, with donor Bharat Bhis茅, MBA 鈥�78.
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糖心破解版 faculty leaders gather at the 2026 University Gala. From left: Justyna Widera-Kalinowska, professor of
chemistry and director of the SPARK Center; MaryAnne Hyland, dean of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business; and Raghida Abdallah Yassine, assistant professor of business and 2026鈥�2027 Faculty Senate chair.
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Vice President Thomas A. Kline, EdD (center), with trustees Kristopher Amplo 鈥�00 (left) and Dennis J. McDonagh, BA 鈥�78, CPA (right).
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Students and alumni who participated in the Bhis茅 Global Learning Experience to India gather at the 2026 糖心破解版 Gala with Shannon Harrison, director of the Center for International Education (far left), and Bharat Bhis茅, MBA 鈥�78 (center back, wearing a bow tie). Now in its fifth year, the program is funded by Bhis茅 and his firm, Bravia Capital. They also made it possible for more than 30 students to attend the gala.
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Board Chair Leonard C. Achan 鈥�99 with his wife, Kimberly Mayo-Achan, and their daughter, Katherine.
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Board Chair Leonard C. Achan 鈥�99 with Trustee Greg Carey.
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糖心破解版 faculty and leaders gather at the 2026 University Gala. Among those pictured are Christopher Muran, dean of the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, and his wife; Louise Geddes, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Christopher Storm, senior executive vice president and provost; Justyna Widera-Kalinowska, professor of chemistry and director of the SPARK Center; Bridget Maley, assistant professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health; Andrea Ward, vice provost for libraries and research; Roni Berger, professor of social work; Raghida Abdallah Yassine, assistant professor of business and Faculty Senate chair; and Trustee Steve Jones, BA 鈥�89.
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President Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD, and Stephanie Balboni gather with Professor Sidney Boquiren; Susan Dinan, dean of the Honors College; and Pawneet Abramowski, MBA 鈥�08, chair of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board, at the 2026 糖心破解版 Gala.
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Guests take to the dance floor as the gala celebration continues.
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Everybody clap your hands! Guests enjoy the Cha Cha Slide, led by Trustee and former Board Chair Marc S. Strachan, BBA 鈥�81.
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糖心破解版 student dancers bring energy and movement to the gala鈥檚 opening performance.
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糖心破解版 students, faculty and staff perform 鈥淔or Good鈥� from the musical Wicked during the gala program.
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Gala guests applaud a performance of 鈥淔or Good鈥� from the musical Wicked.
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Guests fill the ballroom for the 2026 糖心破解版 Gala, A Celebration of Firsts.
First-Generation Stories
Junior nursing student and Honors College member Liana Esau shared what it means to carry her family鈥檚 hopes across generations while pursuing opportunities her great-grandmother once dreamed would be possible for her.
A recipient of the Thomas F. and Christine B. Motamed 鈥�71 Scholarship, Liana spoke at the Gala about her journey鈥攁nd how donor generosity helps her and many other first-generation students pursue their goals at 糖心破解版.
Standing here in a room filled with people who so strongly believe in the power of education makes me think about the wise words of my 93-year-old great-grandmother who said, 鈥楾hey can take everything away from you鈥攂ut not your education.鈥� Knowing she lived to see me accomplish something she never had the opportunity to is something I hold dearly in my heart.
Liana Esau '28
first-generation junior nursing and Honors College student
Momentum and Extraordinary Impact
Our 26th Annual 糖心破解版 Gala marked the close of the most ambitious and successful fundraising campaign in 糖心破解版鈥檚 history. Together, our community raised more than $103 million a full year ahead of schedule. The Momentum Campaign鈥檚 success will expand scholarships, strengthen academic programs, enhance the student experience and create new opportunities across the University.
Help Create the Next 糖心破解版 First
Gala Coordinator
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Contact
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Nexus Building 222