Washington Adventist University’s Gala Fundraiser Honored Three for Leadership and Inspiration
Takoma Park, Md. (September 21, 2016) Washington Adventist University’s fourth annual Visionaries Gala on Sunday, September 18, at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda honored three individuals for providing exemplary leadership and inspiration to others, and successfully raised funds to support scholarships and other University priorities.
The event grossed more than $100,000 in ticket sales and sponsorship, and a generous gift of $350,000 was made by Colombia Union Conference President Dave Weigley, Ph.D., and friends to University President Weymouth Spence, Ed.D., in honor of Weigley’s mother, Hazel E. Weigley. The gift will fund a laboratory in the new Gail S. and Bruce E. Boyer Health Professions and Wellness Center, which is currently under construction on campus. It is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2017.
“This annual event is part of our Vision 2020 – Growing with Excellence initiative to transform Washington Adventist University into one of the premier institutions of higher education in the mid-Atlantic region,” said Spence. “The Gala is not only a successful fundraiser that helps support scholarships and other university priorities, but it also provides a wonderful opportunity to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on the lives of others.”
Georgette (Gigi) Godwin, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, served as emcee for the event. Attendees included Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, who presented a proclamation for the occasion, and Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, who was accompanied by his wife, Catherine. In addition, Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart was a guest, and Maryland Governor Lawrence (Larry) Hogan sent his regards with a proclamation from the State of Maryland.
This year’s Gala honorees were:
Clara Henderson Cobb, a Washington Adventist University alumna who was honored with the Excellence in Health and Human Services award. She is a principal federal public health leader who works to improve nursing and health care, both regionally and nationally. She holds the rank of Rear Admiral with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and provides executive level leadership in policy development, planning, implementation and evaluation of public health programs. She also directs five regionally based programs: Office on Women’s Health, Office of Minority Health, Office of Population Affairs (Family Planning), HIV/AIDS Regional Resource Network and the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps, designed to protect and promote the health of all communities within the eight southeastern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina and North Carolina. Cobb attended Oakwood University (Alabama) prior to receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Washington Adventist University. She received her Master of Science degree in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Georgia Regents University, now known as Augusta University (Georgia).
Liz Murray, whose personal journey from homeless to Harvard was honored with the Excellence in Inspirational Academic Persistence award. She provides encouragement to others that they can overcome their own obstacles, and she shares a message that everyone can make a difference through compassion and service. Murray’s journey was the subject of a Lifetime Television Emmy-nominated original film, “Homeless to Harvard,” and her 2010 book, “Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard,” made the New York Times best-seller list the first week of its release. The child of drug-addicted parents who was homeless at 15, Murray realized that education could change her bleak circumstances. She survived by eating out of dumpsters and finding refuge in all-night subway stations while she worked to complete high school in just two years. She earned a scholarship to Harvard University and graduated in 2009.
Dave Weigley was honored with the Excellence in Organizational Leadership award. He has been President of the Columbia Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church since 2006 and is Chair of the Washington Adventist University Board of Trustees. In addition to his role as president, he has served as a pastor, evangelist, conference communication director, ministerial director, stewardship director, and executive secretary in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. His ministry has also taken him to the Arizona, Carolina, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, and Washington State conferences, as well as to Argentina, India, Peru, Hong Kong, and Russia. He attended Washington Adventist University, received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from Southern Adventist University (Tennessee); his Master of Business Administration degree in Managerial Leadership from City University (Washington); and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Andrews University (Michigan).
Washington Adventist University’s Vision 2020 – Growing with Excellence plan aims to enhance all facets of WAU operations, which includes exceeding accreditation standards; developing a strong curriculum in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; expanding service learning; conducting ongoing program review; making strategic reinvestments in the quality of programs; and promoting and strengthening support services that reflect 21st century best practices.
At the centerpiece of the Vision 2020 plan is the new Gail S. and Bruce E. Boyer Health Professions and Wellness Center, which will house the University’s health professions departments. It will also provide space for collaborative efforts that will benefit the community by providing education, health and wellness programs.
Individuals who missed the Gala but would still like to support Washington Adventist University may contribute online. Every donation is welcome, however small.
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Washington Adventist University is Montgomery County’s only four-year private college. Part of the Seventh-day Adventist system of higher education, Washington Adventist University has been educating college students since 1904 on a 19-acre campus in suburban Takoma Park, close to the nation’s capital. Approximately 1,100 students of all faiths participate in the university’s eight graduate and 42 undergraduate programs. The 2016 edition of U.S. News & World Report ranked Washington Adventist University among the best regional colleges in the north.
Media Contacts:
Angie Crews, 301-891-4134, acrews@wau.edu
Donna Bigler, 240-286-1169, dbigler@wau.edu