Scholarship Gala
From the Capital to the Hill: Paving the Path to Big Red Futures
After a decade‑long hiatus, we are thrilled to bring back a premier, not‑to‑be‑missed Cornell Scholarship Gala, featuring Colleen Barry, Inaugural Dean of the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy and Ryan Lombardi, Vice President for Student & Campus Life.
Register today to take advantage of early bird pricing!
What:
- Cocktail hour
- Expansive sit-down buffet dinner featuring renowned Executive Chef Chris Mayo
- Program featuring Colleen Barry, Inaugural Dean of the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy and Ryan Lombardi, Vice President for Student & Campus Life, as well as current/prior scholarship awardees.
- DJ dance party for those who don’t want the night to end
- Silent/Live Auction, including NFL memorabilia, hotel stays and a Paris apartment with views of the Seine
Attire: Big Red Festive (Or Business)
How You Can Get Involved
- Attend!
- Activate your network! Encourage Cornellians and Cornell‑owned businesses to sponsor or attend.
- Bring your people! Rally your class year, your CBAA network, your affinity group — fill a table with Big Red spirit.
- Sponsor! Corporate, family, individual, affinity — sponsorships are the engine of our fundraising success.
- Donate! We’re seeking live auction items like boxes or tickets to sporting events, premier hotel or vacation stays, or exclusive experiences like Dinner with the CEO
A Legacy Worth Lifting
From Cornell in Washington to the University’s Government Relations presence, the connection between Cornell and the Metropolitan Washington, DC region has always been vibrant and deeply rooted.
A cornerstone of that connection is the endowed scholarships supporting sophomores, juniors, and seniors from our region — honoring proud DC Cornellians Howard Epstein ’58, Law ’61; Austin Kiplinger ’39; Robert McKinless ’48; and Robert Ladd ’43.
These funds exist because alumni stepped up. Now it’s our turn to build on that legacy.
Host Committee:
Dwight Bush
Janet & Michael Cornfeld
Nicole DelToro
Mike Flanagan and Jocelyn Dyer
Mark Fornasiero
Terry Horner
Kathryn Horlick
Gil Keteltas
Cathy Merrill
Jeff Shapiro
Dale Rosenthal
Recent Grad Host Committee:
JT Baker
Julia Buffinton
Siobhan Chambers
Jake Lawson
Corey Littman
Sara Gonzalez
Questions: fundraiser@cornellclubdc.org
Individual Tickets
Individual Ticket: $375
- One (1) ticket
- Cocktail reception with passed hors d’oeuvres and open bar
- Seated dinner (open seating)
- Curated entertainment
Recent Alumni Ticket (Undergrad Classes of 2017-2031): $195
- One (1) ticket
- Cocktail reception with passed hors d’oeuvres and open bar
- Seated dinner (open seating)
- Curated entertainment
Tickets for a Group
Sponsor Levels & Benefits
Sponsors can be individual, family, or corporate.
Big Red Sponsor: $3,000
- Table with eight (8) tickets
- Guaranteed group seating
- Cocktail reception with passed hors d’ oeuvres and open bar
- Seated dinner
- Curated entertainment
- Acknowledgement and listing in Event Program
Libe Slope Sponsor: $7,500
- Table with eight (8) tickets
- Guaranteed group seating with preferred seating location
- Cocktail reception with passed hors d’ oeuvres and open bar
- Seated dinner
- Curated entertainment
- Acknowledgement and listing in Event Program
- Ad size: Quarter page
- Recognition from the stage
McGraw Clock Tower Sponsor: $15,000
- Table with ten (10) tickets
- Guaranteed group seating with prime seating location
- Cocktail reception with passed hors d’ oeuvres and open bar
- Seated dinner
- Curated entertainment
- Acknowledgement and listing in Event Program
- Logo and name displayed on signage at the event
- Ad size: Quarter page
- Sponsorship spotlight on social media
- Recognition from the stage
A.D. White Sponsor: $20,000
- Table with ten (10) tickets
- Guaranteed group seating with prime seating location
- Cocktail reception with passed hors d’ oeuvres and open bar
- Seated dinner
- Curated entertainment
- Acknowledgement and listing in Event Program
- Logo and name displayed on signage at the event
- Ad size: Half page
- Sponsorship spotlight on social media
- Recognition from the stage
- Opportunity to present at event
Ezra Cornell Sponsor: $25,000
- Table with ten (10) tickets
- Guaranteed group seating with prime seating location
- Cocktail reception with passed hors d’ oeuvres and open bar
- Seated Dinner
- Curated entertainment
- Acknowledgement and listing in Event Program
- Logo and name displayed on signage at the event
- Ad size: Full page
- Sponsorship spotlight on social media
- Recognition from the stage
Founders Sponsor: $100,000
- Naming rights to Scholarship
- Table with ten (10) tickets
- Guaranteed group seating with prime seating location
- Cocktail reception with passed hors d’ oeuvres and open bar
- Seated dinner
- Curated entertainment
- Acknowledgement and listing in Event Program
- Logo and name displayed on signage at the event
- Ad size: Full page
- Sponsorship spotlight on social media
- Recognition from the stage
Other Sponsorship Opportunities
Photo Booth Sponsor: $3,500
Put your brand in every memory captured.
- Branded photo booth experience with custom frames or digital branding
- Two (2) Premier Tickets
- Recognition in Event Program
Beverage Sponsor: $5,500
- Sponsorship of a branded specialty cocktail (e.g. “Legacy Libation” or “Visionary Vibe”)
- Two (2) Premier Tickets
- Recognition in Event Program
Entertainment Sponsor: $7,500
Align your brand with the energy and celebration of the night.
- Branding tied to the DJ, band, or live performers
- Verbal acknowledgement during the Event
- Logo placement on stage signage during performances
- Two (2) Premier Tickets
- Recognition in Event Program
Swag Sponsor: $7,500
- Work with event planners to select Cornell swag for attendees
- Two (2) Premier Tickets
- Recognition in Event Program
Questions? We will be so proud of what we accomplish TOGETHER!
Contact: fundraiser@cornellclubdc.org
