It was such a pleasure to be able to gather in person for the 45th Phoenix Chapter Scholar Awards Dinner. There were 150 people in attendance including 40 of the 46 2021-2022 scholars. Click HERE to see photos of the evening
Paradise Country Club was the perfect venue allowing guests to be outside for the poster presentation. Dinner was served in the ballroom with the doors thrown open taking advantage of the beautiful October weather.
Members and guests seem to really enjoy meeting the scholars and hearing about their work during the cocktail hour. It was nice to see so many donors meeting the scholars they fund, in person for the first time.
Our three universities were well represented. Dean of the NAU Graduate College, Maribeth Watwood was there as well as Dean of the ASU Graduate College, Libby Wentz. Associate Dean of the Graduate College, Maggie Pitts, represented the University of Arizona.
Chapter President, Jill Bray, made welcoming remarks and remembered those members and friends lost since our last dinner in 2019 but also highlighting the Chapter’s successful fund development. Jill mentioned two scholars that both told her that the ARCS award was “life changing” for them. ARCS Phoenix Chapter awarded 46 scholars with $386,750 for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Jill recognized two new endowments courtesy of Phoenix Chapter members. For the 2022-2023 academic year there will named scholars awarded funds from the Plenge and Lawson endowments. Thank you to Kathey and Bob Plenge and Jane and Bruce Lawson for these generous donations. Jill thanked all our donors for the impact they make on these young scientists and the affirmation that an ARCS award provides.
Two ARCS Lights were recognized. Christine Hawes for 2020 and Christy Burton for 2021. The Phoenix Chapter is very fortunate to have these two women as long standing members and supporters.
The evening concluded with Jill briefly introducing each scholar present and having each come up to receive their ARCS certificate. The scholars and guests seemed to really enjoy this new approach. All in all it was a very successful evening.
Thanks to Lois Foulds, Ceda Austerman, Anna Maria Matteucci, Nancy Rink, Liz Nofen, and Sophann Schleifer for all their work in making the evening go smoothly. Thank you to Paulette Dalke for the beautiful centerpieces and finally to Sandra Matteucci for sponsoring this event at the Paradise Valley Country Club.
Trends Magazine included our celebration in the November issue: HERE
Looking forward to the next Awards Dinner which will be on April 29, 2022 at the Phoenix Country Club where we will meet and honor the newly awarded 2022-2023 scholars.
