On Saturday, the FAU community came together to raise funds for student scholarships at the annual President’s Gala. Hosted at FAU Stadium, this year’s Gala highlighted the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters and featured Broadway-style entertainment, fabulous works of art created by some of our talented Owls, gourmet dining, a live auction and, as always, fireworks. Guests also had an opportunity to meet our new director of athletics, Brian White and new head men’s basketball coach, Dusty May.

Prior to the start of the Gala, I had the pleasure of announcing two new gifts to the College of Arts and Letters: $300,000 from Marleen Forkas to establish the Marleen Forkas Festival Repertory Theatre Graduate Fellowships Endowment, and an art collection and funds valued at more than $200,000 from Pat DiSalvo and Family to establish the Tom DiSalvo Excellence in Italian Studies and Art Endowment. I also announced a very generous $989,000 gift from Glendola Moye to support the Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program. We truly appreciate the generosity of these donors in helping to create a bright future for FAU students.

The 2018 President’s Gala was a tremendous success, with more than $3.7 million raised. Thank you again to our volunteers, sponsors and guests for supporting this wonderful annual event and helping current and future Owls acquire the education and skills necessary to become tomorrow’s leaders.