Annual Gold Star Gala

Save the date of Saturday, April 26, 2025, for the 27th Annual Gold Star Gala!

The Monroe Community College Foundation's 26th Annual Gold Star Gala presented by M&T Bank was held on April 27 at The Country Club of Rochester. Unseen Galaxies: An Evening of Wonder 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, over $275,000 (net) was raised in support of MCC students to fund public higher education for Greater Rochester.

MCC student speaker Jessica Horner ’24, a Dental Hygiene major and scholarship recipient, shone during our scholarship call that evening. Special thanks to our Honorary Chairs Dawn F. Lipson, Mark Siwiec and Duffy Palmer, as well as our Committee Chairs Nicki Hastings, Jay Popli, Lisa and Rich Paulis.  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:

Andromeda

  • Dawn F. Lipson
  • Duffy Palmer and Mark Siwiec
  • Robin ’80 and Tim ’80 Wentworth

Orion

  • M&T Bank

Pegasus

  • McCarthy Tents & Event

Gemini

  • Dixon Schwabl + Company
  • ESL
  • Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation
  • Optimax Systems
  • Popli Design Group
  • Rochester Regional Health

Pisces

  • Colliers Engineering & Design
  • Elizabeth Wende Breast Care
  • Paychex, Inc.
  • Rocky Mountain Granite Marble/Quartz Plus
  • Thorlabs Lens Systems
  • Lori Van Dusen and LVW Advisors
  • Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Ursa Major

  • Barbara and John Bruning
  • Cornell/Weinstein Family Foundation
  • Corning
  • Excellus BlueCross/BlueShield
  • Konar Properties
  • Michael Krupnicki '85
  • LaBella Associates
  • M/E Engineering and SWBR
  • Royal Oak Realty Trust
  • Wegmans

Ursa Minor

  • AmeriCOM
  • Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
  • Cause + Effect Strategy
  • Davie Kaplan CPA, P.C.
  • Economic Development and Innovative Workforce Services
  • GP Flooring Solutions
  • Hamilton Stern Construction
  • Elaine Michael/The James Michael Foundation
  • Nixon Peabody, LLP
  • OptiPro Systems
  • Rochester Red Wings
  • Sands Family Supporting Foundation
  • William J. Scott '72 and Deborah C. Stamps '97, Ed.D., RN
  • University of Rochester Medical Center
  • Allen K. Williams
  • Laurie Zaucha

Donations

  • Jewelry donated by Cornell's Jewelers
  • Wine and spirits donated by Constellation Brands

The Monroe Community College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt not-for-profit organization. Funds raised from events support scholarship assistance, faculty enrichment programs, funding for educational equipment and seed money for innovative programs.

Questions or comments? Email the MCC Foundation.