Annual Gold Star Gala

The Monroe Community College Foundation's 27th Annual Gold Star Gala presented by M&T Bank was held on April 26 at The Country Club of Rochester. Behind the Curtain was filled with fun, but the mission was quite serious: to raise funds in support of Monroe Community College and to provide scholarships for deserving students. Thanks to our community’s generosity, $275,000 (net of expenses) was raised in support of MCC students to fund public higher education for Greater Rochester.

MCC student speaker Susan Elizabeth Graham ’25, a Human Services major and scholarship recipient, shone during our scholarship call that evening. Special thanks to our Honorary Chairs Jill and Marty Birmingham and Flor and Bobby Colón, as well as our Committee Chairs Naomi Silver, Desirée Silver and Morrie Silver.  Also, a deeply heartfelt thank you to our Auction Advocates Robin ’80 and Tim ’80 Wentworth, our evening’s emcee Doug Emblidge and our Gala committee for their dedication, creativity, and resourcefulness in making this year's gala one to remember!

This year’s event would have not been possible without our creative friends from DS+CO and our generous supporters including:

Showstopper

• M&T Bank
• Flor and Bobby Colón
• Five Star Bank
• Maureen Lally and Wayne Smith
• Robin '80 and Tim '80 Wentworth

Overture

• Dixon Schwabl +Company
• ESL
• Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation
• McCarthy Tents & Events
• Popli Design Group
• Janice and Eric '84 Smith

Ensemble

• Barbara and John Bruning

Spotlight

• Elmer W. Davis, Inc.
• Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
• Konar Properties
• LaBella Associates
• M/E Engineering, P.C.
• Pike Construction Services
• QED Technologies
• SWBR
• Karen and Ed '81 Schuler
• Wegmans Food Markets
• Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Opening Night

• Mary and Todd K. '10 Baxter
• Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
• Cause + Effect Strategy
• Davie Kaplan CPA, P.C.
• Drs. Elizabeth and James Murray
• Optimax Systems, Inc.
• Rochester Red Wings
• Rochester Regional Health
• Royal Oak Realty Trust
• The No-Nonsense Roundtable
• University of Rochester Medical Center
• Connie O. Walker, Esq. and Allen K. Williams
• Laurie Zaucha

Sweepstakes Jewelry Donated by

• Cornell's Jewelers

Wine and Spirits Donated by

• Constellation Brands