Friday, May 25, 2012

My... that's a lot of chairs....

Doreen Gentzler

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

The University of District of Columbia celebrated it's 160th Year of Scholarship and Achievement in the Nation’s Capital at the Mayflower Hotel.

The Honorable Vincent Gray, Mayor of the DC and Gala Chair, joined Judith Terra, also the Chair of the DC Commission on Arts & Humanities, and celebrated with The Honorary Co-chair, His Excellency Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

Gala Co-chairs were Francine and Stephen Trachtenberg and Mistress of Ceremonies,  Doreen Gentzler, NBC4.

There was lots of enthusiastic and cheerful chats during the cocktail hour, followed by the program and awards dinner for 200. 



The Gala opened with the presentation of Colors by the Metropolitan Police Department's Ceremonial Honor Guard; The National Anthem by Master Patrol Office Alvin Johnson. 

Musical selections by UDC's Director Allyn Johnson and the magnificent singing by tenor B. Jackson Caesar wowed the audience with his amazing voice—former student of UDC!  

Additional Musical Selections included Boy Thai Band in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Sister City Relations between Bankok and DC and in celebration of the 160th anniversary celebration of the  UDC.


The honorees for the 160th Anniversary Medal included:

The Honorable Vincent C. Gray, Mayor of DC
 Her Excellency Tebelo Seretse, Ambassador fo the Republic of Botswana
 Jim Dinegar, President & CEO of the Greater Washingotn Board of Trade,
 Barbara B. Lang, President & CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce
 Michele V. Hagans, President & CEO of Ft Lincoln New Town Corporation.

The President’s Award was presented to the Honorable Ronald A. Brown, First Chairman , board of Trustees (posthumously, accepted by The Honorable Michael A. Brown, At-Large member, Council of the DC.)

Dr. Allen L. Sessoms, President of UDC,  presented each award.

Enter the gala here: