Provided/From left, Stockton staff members Allison Monroe, Christine Easton, Valerie Concordia, Kortney Butler, Shilon Anderson and Mimi Milazzo staffing the punch board auction at the Stockton University Foundation Scholarship Benefit Gala at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City May 14.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP - Five hundred guests danced the night away in support of the Stockton University Foundation Scholarship Benefit Gala at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on Saturday, May 14, which raised more than $425,000.
Net proceeds from the event support the Foundation's Benefit Gala Endowed Scholarship Fund, which provided more than $150,000 in scholarships to 160 students this academic year. The endowment has grown to more than $5 million since 2007.
The unwavering support and generosity of our sponsors and supporters provide countless students from the region and beyond the ability to pursue the dream of a college education with less financial burden, said Donna Buzby, chairwoman of the Stockton University Foundation Board of Directors.
Stockton donors, alumni and current and former scholarship recipients in attendance enjoyed several unique touches highlighting Stockton's rich history and academic programs, including menu items featuring produce from the university's Sustainability Farm and maple syrup from campus trees, student research projects and displays celebrating Stockton's 50th anniversary of teaching this year.
The Symphony Gold Jazz Trio and Stockapella, Stockton's student a capella group, kicked off the evening's entertainment. Joe Lupo, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, introduced the night's headline act LIVE AND LET DIE the Music of Paul McCartney - featuring Tony Kishman, and DJ Ahmed Kahn kept guests dancing well into the evening as the night's closing performer.
We are very proud to once again partner with Stockton University to host and sponsor this tremendous event, Lupo said. It is an honor to give back to our community and to show our support for education and the Stockton students.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City signed on to be the event's top sponsor, while longtime gala partner International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 351 and the Stockton University Foundation Board of Directors served as Platinum Record sponsors.
Marques Johnson, director of Residential Education and Students Services at Stockton University, and Shedia Laguer, assistant director Student Development, at one of the 50th anniversary displays at the Stockton University Foundation Scholarship Gala May 14.
