UB Scholarship Gala to Benefit Students

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo will hold its fifth annual Scholarship Gala on Nov. 6 in Alumni Arena on the North Campus.

The event, which raises funds for undergraduate and graduate student scholarships, will help open doors for more students who hope to attend UB or who are already enrolled but need financial assistance. Only about half of UB students who qualify for financial aid receive it through scholarships and grants, while the others use jobs, work-study programs and student loans to help pay the bills.

UB President John Simpson initiated the UB Scholarship Gala in 2006 as one of the university's premier events to raise scholarship funds and increase access to the university.

"Our students are, very literally, our future -- the future of UB, and of the larger communities we serve, here in Western New York and across the globe," Simpson said. "I said when I arrived in Buffalo that I considered broadening access to public higher education to be a priority. We must make it possible for more students, no matter what their field or their academic record, to attend the university and receive a high quality education."

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York and Turner Construction are the presenting sponsors of this year's gala, which is scheduled from 6-11 p.m. in the Edward L. Wright Practice Facility (formerly called the triple gym) and will include dinner, dancing, auctions, raffles and an "Apprentice-style" competition among UB marketing students.

UB students will play a big part in the evening's entertainment: the UB marching band, members of the Zodiaque Dance Group and theater students will perform. Student athletes and honors students serve as volunteers at the event, which has raised $650,000 to date.

Gala co-chairs are Andy and Helen Cappuccino, 1988 graduates of the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, where they serve as members of the dean's advisory council. Helen is a surgeon at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and a trustee of the UB Foundation. Andrew is president and owner of Buffalo Spine Surgery and serves on the medical staff of the Buffalo Bills.

Tickets to the 2010 gala are $200, with sponsorship opportunities and tables from $2,500. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 881-1709 or visit http://www.giving.buffalo.edu/ubgala.