As it continues its yearlong 75th anniversary celebration with this month’s Founders Gala, the University of San Diego will “Shine Bright on the Diamond” at Petco Park.
The honorary chair of the Founders Gala is Darlene Marcos Shiley, who is featured on the cover.
Shiley, Chair Emerita of USD’s Board of Trustees, is also the benefactress behind academic scholarships, as well as USD’s Shiley Theatre and Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology. The Old Globe University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program ranks in the top 5 nationally, and the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering ranks #12 among the country’s undergraduate engineering programs.
The Founders Gala, USD’s signature fundraiser for student scholarships, is presented by U.S. Bank with additional support from Qualcomm and the San Diego Padres. Representatives from each gathered on the pitcher’s mound at Petco Park to mark this momentous occasion.
Pictured from left to right is Erik Greupner, Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Padres and 2004 graduate of USD’s School of Law; Kimberly Koro, Sr. VP and General Manager of Qualcomm and 1986 graduate of USD’s School of Law; Coreen Petti, USD’s Associate Vice President for University Events and Partnerships and Founders Gala Event Chair; and Manuel Rodriguez, San Diego Market President of U.S. Bank.
The Founders Gala was created by Petti in 2009 in celebration of USD’s 60th anniversary. The six galas held since then have netted more than $6 million for student scholarships.
This year’s gala co-emcees are Andrew Biros of USD and Veronica Guzmán of Entravision. Biros is the senior director of the Center for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which presents many of USD’s social impact programs, including the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge and Fowler Business Concept Challenge. Guzmán is an anchor for Noticias Univision in San Diego. The longtime partnership between Entravision and USD celebrates the university’s commitment to being a Hispanic Serving Institution.
This year’s Founders Gala will build on successes of the past and position USD to continue fostering peace, working for justice, leading with love and Lighting the Way Forward.
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