By Elizabeth Field and Isaak Kifle
The University of New Haven offers over 100 degree programs as well as many state-of-the-art facilities, programs and initiatives that make it a national leader in experiential education. With everything that UNH has and offers, it’s not surprising that a lot of money is needed in order to effectively run the university. This is reflected in tuition rates, which often make it difficult for students with financial difficulties to attend. Fortunately, UNH offers significant financial aid to its students, and this is largely due to the spirit of giving that is so prevalent among generous alumni and others affiliated with the university.
While the university offers a variety of opportunities to give back, its primary scholarship fundraising initiative is the annual Alumni Scholarship Ball. This event, which includes both a live and silent auction, raises a significant amount of money every year which funds student scholarships. This year, the 30th Annual Alumni Scholarship Ball took place on Saturday, April 20, 2013, in the Beckerman Recreation Center. Over the course of a week leading up to the event, the Rec Center was transformed into a grand ballroom, and the event itself was heavily attended by alumni, community partners, senior administrators and students.
Dr. Michael Morris, Professor of Psychology, served as the MC (Master of Ceremonies) for the event and UNH President Steven Kaplan provided the keynote address. The event’s festivities included the honoring of Head Football Coach Peter Rossomando who had previously been named Liberty Mutual’s Coach of the Year, as well as the awarding of three Distinguished Alumni Awards and the President’s Award. This year’s Distinguished Alumni Awardees, presented by President Kaplan and Alumni Association President Michael Ambrose, included Don Fertman ’76 B.S., Arthur Steier ’89 E.M.B.A. and Lt. Col. Merryl Tengesdal ’94 B.S. The recipient of the President’s Award this year was William L. Bucknall Jr. ’63 A.S., ’65 B.S.
The live auction, presided over by Barry Cherwin of Cherwin and Cherwin Auctioneers, included two different vacation packages, tickets to football and baseball games, a lobster dinner at Jeffrey’s Fusion Restaurant and, lastly, two chances to bid on a 10-course Chinese dinner prepared by Dr. Henry C. Lee and his wife. Each live auction item was sold for thousands of dollars and, combined with the silent auction and major gifts; over $650,000 was raised that night. Generous donations increased this year by over $150,000. After the end of the festivities and the closing of the auction, attendees had the opportunity to dance the night away with music provided by a live band. The alumni scholarship ball was a great success and will be a great benefit to the students that receive financial aid through the funds raised.
