Giving
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Raise a glass and join us for a night of elegance, celebration, and inspiration!
This inspiring fundraising evening brings together the brightest minds and boldest hearts in the Highlander community. From distinguished alumni to philanthropic leaders, this event pays tribute to those who exemplify our visionary mission of social mobility, educational access, and research excellence.
2025 Honorees
Distinguished Alumni Award
V. John White '73
Alumni Service Award
Keona Henderson '08
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Gabriel Maldonado '11
A Look Inside
Get an exclusive glimpse inside the dazzling moments of this annual event.
The 2024 Honorees
UCR MEDALLION
Cheech Marin
photo by Carlos Puma courtesy of Riverside Art Museum, 2022
DISTINGUISHED PHILANTHROPIST AWARD
Byron Pollitt '73 and Teresa Pollitt '74
Distinguished Alumni Award
Christy Lopez '90
Alumni Service Award
Manav Sachdeva '99
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Jesse Melgar, MPP '17
Tickets & Sponsorships
Single tickets for this year’s event will become available in early 2025.
Sponsorships are now available beginning at $5,000.
This year’s Gala will benefit student success at UC Riverside, the nation’s No. 1 university for social mobility. Your sponsorship and investment in the Highlander community uplifts UCR’s mission of educational access and social mobility in California and beyond.
To see a full list of benefits and opportunities, review the sponsorship menu here:
For corporate sponsorships, please contact tiffany.dana@ucr.edu.
For table purchases, please contact shannon.castro@ucr.edu.
For all other gala questions, please contact specialevents@ucr.edu.
Sponsorship levels are subject to availability and some levels are likely to sell out quickly. All sponsorship packages are pre-tax deductible excluding the value of goods and services.