GALA GATHERED TO HONOR A CENTURY.

out generations of journalists who have held power accountable and documented our nation’s stories,” she said. “I’m doing all I can in Washington to make sure journalism remains strong, but you’re doing the work. Here’s to 100 more years of preparing students to interview presidents, writing against the clock, and telling stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”

The evening also allowed Cohen, the School and the College to honor the Hubbard family with the Centennial Legacy Award. Not only has the Hubbard family—both personally and through business—led a legacy of innovation in the Twin Cities community, but their decades of restriction-free support to the University and the School has come during both easy times and tough times.

“There are some contributions that have been made over the School’s history that are not as well known to the public, but have been incredibly important to sustaining and building the School during its most difficult and challenging days,” Cohen said, when presenting the award. “These contributions have been a lantern for the School, helping to shine a light on what is possible, what may be innovative, and what may help move the School forward to be an absolute leader in the field of journalism and mass communication.”

Through pre-event giving and all the evening’s on-site activities, the School raised nearly $80,000, including a $25,000 gift from the Hubbard family, for student programming, such as Backpack and Report for Minnesota. But it was the connections made and the relationship rekindled, especially after the long pandemic, that proved most valuable that night.

“At this inflection point, we are ready to meet the biggest challenges and seize the most promising opportunities,” Cohen said. “As we maintain our commitment to the foundational principles of journalism and communication, we will never stop striving to take the best advantage of new tools, technologies, and ideas to support our larger ideals. We are incredibly proud of the Hubbard School’s history and its more than 100 years of accomplishments.

“But we aren’t content to rest on our laurels,” she finished. “We know there is more work to do. And we also believe that our best days are ahead of us. We know that the most important stories we can tell are just beginning—and we hope that as we pursue our most important goals, you will be a part of this story as well.”

Attendees bid on more than 30 silent auction items during the evening.