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  1. Home
  2. Penn State Brandywine Ball
  3. Past Events

50th Anniversary Gala

50th Anniversary Gala banner

On Friday, May 11, 2018 over 180 alumni, faculty, friends, and staff attended Penn State Brandywine’s 50th Anniversary Gala, held in the campus’ new Student Union, to raise support for the Brandywine Emergency Scholarship Fund. The generous support provided by sponsors, advertisers, donors, and guests helped Brandywine to raise over $130,000 for Brandywine students in need.   

The cocktail reception featured acoustic music by Matt Santry and a performance by magician Chad Juros while attendees bid on over 70 auction items. For dinner, guests enjoyed a tapas style menu in the Blue Apple Café. Emcee Jeremy Branch ’06 welcomed guests and introduced Chancellor Kristin Woolever who announced the public launch of The Greater Penn State Campaign for 21st Century Excellence. Public recognition was given to the late John D. Unangst, president and CEO of the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, for his service on the Brandywine Advisory Board, as well as to Brandywine’s first Lion’s Heart Award recipients. Student speaker Chevelle Thomas ’21 shared her personal story of how scholarships make it possible for her to overcome hardships to attend Brandywine. Guests were invited to make a pledge to support students in need, which led to over $30,000 in additional pledge support. Following the program, John Savage and the Classic Rockers kicked off the dance party with their rendition of hits throughout the decades. 

Thank you to everyone who made Brandywine’s 50th Anniversary Gala an incredible success. Brandywine students will feel the positive impact of this event for years to come thanks to your generosity!  

Enjoy a slideshow from event.

50th Anniversary Gala

Dinner at the 50th Anniversary Gala

Dinner at the 50th Anniversary Gala

Credit: Penn State
Jerry Parsons and Eleanor Parsons at the 50th Anniversary Gala

Dedicated Service and Leadership Award Recipients, Brandywine Advisory Board Member Jerry Parsons and Eleanor Parsons 

Credit: Penn State
Brandywine Advisory Board Member Shawn Manderson accepting the Lion's Heart Award

Brandywine Advisory Board Member Shawn Manderson accepting the Lion's Heart Award

Credit: Penn State
Student Speaker Chevelle Thomas addresses the crowd at the 50th Anniversary Gala

Student Speaker Chevelle Thomas addresses the crowd at the 50th Anniversary Gala

Credit: Penn State
Brandywine Advisory Board President Jonathan Savage and his band perform at the 50th Anniversary Gala

Brandywine Advisory Board President Jonathan Savage and his band perform at the 50th Anniversary Gala

Credit: Penn State
Brandywine Advisory Board Member Michael Gambol and Dina Gambol pictured with Nittany Lion

Brandywine Advisory Board Member Michael Gambol and Dina Gambol pictured with Nittany Lion

Credit: Penn State
Student Volunteers with Nittany Lion at the50th Anniversary Gala

Student Volunteers with Nittany Lion at the 50th Anniversary Gala

Credit: Penn State
Magician performs at the 50th Anniversary Gala

Magician Chad Juros performs at the 50th Anniversary Gala

Credit: Penn State

Special thanks to Brandywine’s 50th Anniversary Gala Committee for their help with making this event a success.

Paul Alberici ’16 | Mike Gambol ’90 | Patricia Hillen |Margie Rosenberg
 | Ruth Savage ’82 | Peg Schipper ’79 | Michael Reid Sturm | 
Kathleen Yanoshak

Penn State Brandywine Ball

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Penn State Brandywine highlighted on a map of campuses across the state of Pennsylvania

Penn State Brandywine

Penn State Brandywine is Philadelphia's "next-door" neighbor. The 112-acre campus lies just 20 miles west of Center City and offers four-year baccalaureate degree programs, associate degree programs and workplace professional education programs.
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