Buffalo State’s 21st annual Foundation Scholarship Gala—also known as the “Bengala”—will be held on Saturday, April 28, in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall.
Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for students enrolled in the college’s prestigious Muriel A. Howard Honors Program. Since the fundraiser began in 1998, the gala has helped raise approximately $4 million in scholarship funds.
This year’s gala features a ’30s and ’40s Hollywood-glam theme. Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails, followed by a multi-course dinner at 7:00 p.m.
The evening will also include a performance by current Buffalo State students and recent alumni as well as the always-popular live auction. Items up for bid include passes and travel vouchers to the 2018 U.S. Open; suite tickets for the James Taylor/Bonnie Raitt concert at KeyBank Center; original artwork by Hans Godo Frabel; and dinner with Buffalo State President Katherine Conway-Turner and Dr. Alvin Turner at the president’s residence.
This year’s gala chairs are Robert and Margaret Zak. Presenting sponsors are M&T Bank and Merchants Insurance Group.
John DiSciullo of WBBZ-TV and Tom Koller, senior associate director of intercollegiate athletics at Buffalo State, will serve as the masters of ceremonies.
The honors program, which was founded in 1984, provides outstanding, intellectually committed undergraduate students with a rewarding, academically challenging learning experience. Those who are accepted into the program are expected to work hard and are rewarded with opportunities for scholarships, research, high academic achievement, and awards. The program is available to both first-time college students and transfer students. Currently, about 200 students are enrolled.
Individual tickets for the Gala are $250 and may still be purchased online at giving.buffalostate.edu/gala.
For more information, please contact Kathryn Neeson at (716) 878-4895.
