The Gala

Invest in the Moments That Matter!

This year’s 43rd Annual Presidential Gala reflected the spirit driving our work forward: a call to action grounded in a shared commitment to do better, think bigger, and create transformative moments for Golden Rams.

More than 400 alumni, donors, WCU faculty and staff, students, community leaders, and friends of WCU gathered in the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens on April 17 to celebrate our shared belief in our students.

Proceeds from this year’s Gala support experiential learning opportunities – internship stipends, clinical placements, service-learning, research with faculty, education abroad, and career readiness resources – that shape our students’ education but are often most vulnerable to financial barriers. Two current students shared their experiences with guests in a video at the event: senior Chris Needham ’26, who studied biomedical engineering and served on the executive board of the Student Government Association, and fourth-year public health Honors College student Luwam Teklegiorgis ’26.

A couple stands on a path surrounded by greenery and flowers

A woman and man each hold a microphone while dancing on a dancefloor surrounded by other people dancing

4 women dressed up in their gowns smile behind a table with vases on it

Rammy is dancing on the dancefloor

A room view of the gala featuring many people in fancy clothes sitting at tables, standing at the bar, and surrounded by flowers on the sides and ceiling