This weekend we celebrated one of FAU’s great traditions, the annual fundraising gala, at FAU Stadium. As always, the gala was a wonderful opportunity for faculty and staff, alumni and friends of FAU to get together and celebrate our achievements over the past year while raising funds to support student scholarships.

This year’s gala was a tremendous success, with more than 800 guests in attendance – a gala record! In addition to enjoying delicious cuisine ranging from jambalaya to sushi, guests were treated to a fabulous fireworks display and live entertainment including aerial performers, Motown band Memory Lane and classic crooner Lisa Addeo. Guests also had the opportunity to bring home a variety of prizes from our live and silent auctions, including jewelry, sports memorabilia, vacations and more!

Earlier in the evening, I was happy to announce a $5 million gift from Bobby and Barbara Campbell to create the Bobby and Barbara Campbell Academic Success Center within the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence. Bobby has been an avid supporter of FAU’s Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center since 2009. We truly appreciate this very generous gift from the Campbells, which gets us one step closer to breaking ground on the Complex.

Thank you again to our volunteers, sponsors and guests for making the 2016 Gala a night to remember. To see photos from the event, visit www.flickr.com/photos/fau-events/albums.