2021 VISIONARIES GALA

Washington Adventist University’s 8th Annual Visionaries Gala took place on Sunday, September 19th, 2021. It was held at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. Around 225 guests arrived to take part in this annual fundraising event.

The evening began with a reception serenaded by a quartet from WAU’s Music Department. Screens around the reception hall displayed views of campus from unique vantage points, and guests were able to view drawings and designs for the new Science building/Library renovations. Next, guests walked out onto the Congressional Country Club veranda, bathed in the afternoon sunlight, amidst the beautiful backdrop of green manicured lawns and trees.

This year’s Honorees included U.S. Congressman Jamie Raskin, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Gigi Godwin, and Drs. Ronald and Beverly Anderson.

Dinner was served amid the sponsored tables in the main ballroom. The program was led by the night’s Emcee and Alumni Association President, Stephen Brennwald. President Weymouth Spence offered the reason for the evening and expanded on the new Vision 2030, “Distinctive Excellence In Student Success.” WAU Board Chair, Dave Weigley, presented a toast toward Vision 2030, Our distinguished honorees, and the future of WAU.

As a surprise to end the evening, Provost Cheryl Kisunzu, CFO Patrick Farley, and Board Chairman Dave Weigley took to the podium to offer a special honor to President Weymouth Spence and Rebecca Spence for their indelible efforts to support Washington Adventist University and its community of students, faculty, and staff.

Each year, the Visionaries Gala is presented to raise money for the Needs Grant, given directly to students falling under needs-based criteria.

Visionaries Gala 2022 will be held on September 18th at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. If you’d like to reserve a table, learn about sponsorships, donate, or offer feedback on the event, please reach out to the Office of Advancement and its director, Jennifer Albury, jalbury@wau.edu.

Columbia Union President Dave Weigley and WAU President Weymoth Spence