Visionaries Gala 2022

from Gateway Magazine | Fall/Winter Edition 2022/23 | Virtual Issue

The Value of DEI on University Campuses

Washington Adventist University’s 9th annual Visionaries, hosted by Bruno de Faria, took place Sunday, September 18, 2022, at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. This is a yearly opportunity where the university shares its vision with its most committed patrons and partners. President Weymouth Spence offered the reason for this evening while expressing the goals of Vision 2030, Distinctive Excellence in Student Success. The night began with highlighting student success stories giving the audience an unfeigned and heartfelt account of the life of two WAU students, Lisa Vallado and Carla Figueroa– who overcame adversity in their lives through hard work, grit, and determination. Both testimonies were moving in their ways, capturing the audience’s attention and filling the room with a loud silence charged with profound inspiration. This was the most heartfelt part of the evening, followed by a unified standing ovation in recognition of both students who were in attendance.

Senior Nursing major, Carla Figueroa, was accompanied by her daughter, Emily Turcios, who is now 19 and shares a deep respect and admiration for her mother’s story. “She [Emily] wrote an essay about my testimony for her college application and let me read it after she was accepted. It was so moving to see what I have been through – through her eyes,” said Carla. This is the first time Carla has attended a Gala. “I was so honored to be invited and be there. It’s very rewarding that my journey has been able to encourage other students who may see themselves in me.” Carla is in her last semester at WAU and will be graduating this December.

In addition to sponsors, students, and special guests, the Columbia Union Executive team was represented respectively by its President, Dave Weigley, Executive Secretary Celeste Ryan Blyden, and Treasurer Emmanuel Asiedu. The Columbia Union has been an active partner in support of making WAU’s Vision 2030 a reality.

Other significant components of the Gala were the awards presented to distinguished individuals in their workplace and community in addition to their excellence in leadership and initiative. This year’s honorees included alumna and entrepreneur Clarissa Williams, accompanied by her husband and family. In her acceptance speech, Clarissa shared how grateful she is to her mom, who has been her inspiration and role model. She received the Excellence in Entrepreneurship & Business Development Award.

Honored for his Excellence in Service as a Young Entrepreneur of Faith and Distinction, Ruben Harris, during his acceptance speech, took time to acknowledge the importance of Christian Education. He ended his piece with a Bible verse found in Habakkuk 2:2-3, “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. [3] For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end, it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

The final honoree of the evening was our very own CFO, Vice President Patrick Farley, who was awarded for Excellence in Service and Contribution to the WAU community. VP Farley gave a lively acceptance speech and graced the audience with a medley of impersonations that filled the room with laughter and rendered him a standing ovation. The latter is not only for his ingenious performance but, most importantly, for the strong legacy he has built and maintained at WAU over the years. VP Farley completed 20 years of service and contribution to the WAU community on March 18th. “It takes a team,” says Farley, “you’re only as good as the people working under you and with you.” Upon being recognized and presented with the award, Farley shared a few words with the audience. The golden thread of his acceptance speech was his gratitude to his team and the departments he has worked with. Farley also shared his commitment to the success of the institution he calls “God’s school.”

Farley has been a loyal administrator and servant of WAU, seeing it through various phases and evolution over the years. VP Farley is conducting a 100K fundraiser for a student scholarship dedicated to supporting and bridging the gap for students with past balances and in great need of financial assistance. In his speech, Farley was intentional about listing several departments and individuals with whom he has directly worked over these two decades. “I am immensely grateful to my assistant, Dacia Barnwell, who has been here longer than I have. She has been fundamental in the process of getting things done and my ultimate success.” In his own words, all the different members of the team have a part to play.

Jennifer Albury, Executive Director of Development, Advancement and Alumni Relations, shares her satisfaction with the engagement and turnout of this year’s Gala. “I want to thank the Gala team, VP Wiles, and all those who partnered with us to ensure the success of our annual gala.” Additionally, she expressed deep appreciation to the donors and sponsors for their commitment and support to WAU, in addition to the Music Department for providing such high-quality music and performance throughout the evening.