Gala, Goldman Gala— A James Bond Themed Celebration
On April 24, 2015, students, faculty, staff and friends of Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) gathered at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Grand Ballroom for the 2015 Goldman Gala where casino games were a feature of the evening. The theme for this year’s annual celebration was Casino Royale, inspired by the 2006 James Bond film.
The evening kicked off with a cocktail reception featuring a signature drink, the Diamond Fizz, a photo booth, and casino games. Upon arrival, guests received $2,000 of play money which could be cashed in for chips to try their luck at the casino tables. Poker, black jack, roulette, craps, and money wheel were the featured games of the evening.
Following the cocktail reception, the 478 guests took their seats in the ballroom for a dinner consisting of Thai infused salmon; grilled chicken breast; or herb risotto. Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter took the stage to welcome everyone and to pay tribute to several special guests in attendance.
He opened the evening by recognizing Megan Sullivan DMD 18, who ran the Boston Marathon on April 20, 2015. Megan had previously participated in the fateful 2013 Boston Marathon, but was unable to finish the race due to the tragic terrorist attack at the finish line. This year, Megan braved the cold temperatures and strong winds, and courageously ran the race again. For the last several hundred yards of the race, Megan was joined by her sister who had been waiting for her at the finish line in 2013 when the bombs went off. They crossed the finish line together. Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese escorted Megan to the stage where Dean Hutter presented her with a bouquet of flowers. “Megan, you are truly a wonderful example as to why we as a University and a School of Dental Medicine continue to be Boston Strong,” said Dean Hutter. He then asked the attendees to join him in a moment of silence for those whose lives were tragically taken in the 2013 attack.
Dean Hutter then said to the guests, “The Goldman Gala is truly for our students, especially for those who will graduate and become our newest alumni, and Mrs. Hutter and I are absolutely delighted to once again have the honor and privilege of hosting you this evening. We’re so pleased that we have such a wonderful turnout of students, faculty, staff, and alumni.”
He went on to recognize each of the classes in attendance and asked that students from the graduating DMD, AS, and post-doctoral classes of 2015 stand for a special round of applause.
Dean Hutter welcomed the following special guests: Dean’s Advisory Board Member Dr. Shadi Daher and his wife Dr. Milagros “Millie” Serrano; Dean’s Advisory Board Member Dr. Suneel Kandru; President of the Alumni Association and Dean’s Advisory Board Member Dr. Bing Liu and his wife Mrs. Helen Dong; Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board Dr. David Lustbader and his wife Mrs. Wendy Lustbader; Dean’s Advisory Board Member Dr. Mina Paul and her husband Mr. Ajay Saini; Immediate Past President of the Alumni Board Dr. Mitch Sabbagh; and Dean’s Advisory Board Member Dr. Ron Weissman and his wife Mrs. Maria Weissman.
He also asked the members of the Goldman Gala Committee, who organized and planned the evening, to stand for a round of applause: Richa Bhatt AS 15, Development & Alumni Coordinator Ms. Leslie Caiola, Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese, Christopher Connell DMD 15, Administrative Assistant for Meetings & Events Ms. Diane Dougherty, Andrew Grinsell DMD 17, Marissa Kobewka DMD 15, Pardis Koleini DMD 17, David Lane DMD 16, Emma Lattouf DMD 15, Lauren Liebman DMD 18, Associate Director of Student Affairs Ms. Erica Manczuk, Matthew Mara DMD 16, Keely Matheson DMD 15, Jessica Metcalf DMD 15, Michael Nardi DMD 18, Student Affairs Coordinator Ms. Amy Nelson, Hilary Reiter DMD 16, Amrita Sandhu DMD 15, Azeez Swarup AS 15, and Ryan Vaughn DMD 16. Dean Hutter then made a special acknowledgement of the efforts of Assistant Director of Meetings & Events Mrs. Lindsay McHugh and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
Dean Hutter then took a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the birthdays of Dean’s Advisory Board Member Dr. Ronald Weissman and his wife Mrs. Maria Weissman, who share an April 24 birthday. They were presented with a large cake as everyone in attendance sang them Happy Birthday.
Dean Hutter took one last opportunity to remind everyone that “what goes on in the photo booths and the Casino, stays in the photo booths and the Casino.”
After dinner and dessert, guests hit the dance floor serenaded by the band Night Rhythm, took casino-themed photos in the photo booth, and tried their luck one more time at the casino tables.
Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.