Green and Gold Gala to celebrate University, donors

Sacramento State will celebrate its successes and honor two of its most important benefactors at the inaugural Green and Gold Gala the evening of Thursday, Oct. 20 in the University Union Ballroom.

Alex and Faye Spanos will be the guests of honor at the black-tie event. They’ll be recognized for their commitment of $10 million for the Recreation, Wellness and Events Center project, as well as previous gifts that allowed the University to host the 2000 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.

The Green and Gold Gala will include a reception, dinner and dancing. There will also be talks and displays to showcase the campus, a new Destination 2010 video and more than a few surprises.

In addition to recognizing Mr. and Mrs. Spanos, additional leadership gifts to the University will be announced at the gala, says Vice President for University Advancement Carole Hayashino.

“The early response and broad support from the community and the campus has been very encouraging,” says Hayashino, who is responsible for the event. “There is great pride in Sacramento State. Everyone realizes how important it is to celebrate the University and recognize those individuals whose contributions are making a difference.”

Hayashino says efforts are under way to ensure that costs of the event are covered through sponsorship contributions. A number of sponsorships have already been finalized, including Capital Public Radio, Comcast, Mumm Napa, Sacramento magazine and Steltzner Vineyards. Other major sponsors will be recognized at the event.

The honorary co-chairs for the Green and Gold Gala are Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver. While it is unlikely either will be able to attend, both have endorsed the event and encouraged friends and supporters to participate.

The Honorary Gala Committee members are:

• U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein
• U.S. Representatives John Doolittle, Wally Herger, Dan Lungren, Doris Matsui and Mike Thompson
• State Senators Dave Cox and Deborah Ortiz
• Assembly Members Noreen Evans, Dave Jones, Tim Leslie, Lloyd Levine and Lois Wolk
• Sacramento City Council: Mayor Heather Fargo, Steve Cohn, Robert King Fong, Lauren Hammond, Kevin McCarty, Bonnie Pannell, Ray Tretheway and Robbie Waters
• Sacramento County Supervisors: Illa Colin, Roger Dickinson, Roberta MacGlashan, Don Nottoli and Susan Peters
• Placer County Supervisor Bruce Kranz
• Mayors: Christopher Cabaldon (West Sacramento), Darryl Clare (Galt),
  Ken Cooley (Rancho Cordova), Tom Cosgrove (Lincoln), Alice Dowdin (Auburn) and Gina Garbolino (Roseville)
• Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully
• Sacramento Police Chief Albert Najera
• Friends of the University: John Gesek, David Gordon, David Hosley, William H. Lee, Randy E. Paragary, Raul Rodriguez, Sylvia Ruiz, Darrell Steinberg, Scott Syphax, Fred and Nancy Teichert, Robert Thomas, Angelo Tsakopoulos, Roger J. Valine and Carla Vasquez

Tickets are $200 per person. A special ticket price of $150 per person is available for campus hosts (Sacramento State faculty and staff).

More information and tickets are available at 278-3349 or 278-7043. Tickets may be purchased online at www.cce.csus.edu/conferences.