June 26, 2012
All Jazzed Up for a Good Cause

Every summer, Cal State San Marcos hosts its annual Foundation Gala, an evening of friends, food and festivities to benefit our scholarship fund.  This year’s theme was “All That Jazz,” and the night was resplendent with the glitz and glamour of the 1920s. Women were bedecked in pearls and feathers. Men wore topcoats and tails. And everyone — from the events staff to the attendees — was smiling.

The gala is always a joyous occasion because we have an opportunity to bring our friends and supporters to campus and also because the evening is dedicated to raising money for a good cause: student scholarships.  So many of CSUSM’s students relay on scholarships to help fund their educational dreams, and without the generosity of our donors, many students would be forced to abandon their goals.

Over five hours on a Saturday night, hundreds of guests shimmied to a live band, posed for pictures and bid on items during a silent auction. Revelers also watched an inspirational video of interviews with scholarship recipients. The students shared their stories of success, of how their lives were transformed through scholarships and the kindness of others.

In total, more than $80,000 was raised, with proceeds primarily benefiting student scholarships as well as innovative research, student programming and the professional development of faculty.

You can hear the stories of CSUSM scholarship recipients at this YouTube link: http://youtu.be/NUb30lBbFQM

To find out how you can contribute to the scholarship fund or become involved in University activities, visit http://www.csusm.edu/giving/.