It’s a Wrap! The 2008 Stars Among Us Gala Deemed a Success

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – “Tonight has been perfect,” said Charles Sawyer, DC, senior vice president and provost, regarding Northwestern Health Sciences University’s 2008 Stars Among Us Gala. “It’s been great.”

Previously held in venues such as The Depot in Minneapolis, Minn., and the Landmark Center in St. Paul, Minn., this year Northwestern was able to host the event on its own campus. With decorations fit for a king, the new Wolfe-Harris Center for Excellence was unveiled for the Gala with elated responses from guests. According to Jane Clark, gala attendee, “The Gala was wonderful in the new building and garden!” Norman Horns, MD, BCACP, Northwestern associate professor, agreed by saying, “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have the Gala here.” Even guests attending the event for the first time could tell it was something special. Mary Berg, MA, Northwestern’s clinical experiential education coordinator, and first-time Gala guest, was amazed by the “glitz” of the Gala.

The 2008 Stars Among Us Gala included some new twists from previous years. Fuji Ya, an award-winning authentic Japanese sushi restaurant from Minneapolis, served freshly prepared sushi during the cocktail hour; and an ice bar in the Standard Process Healing Garden provided drinks, with the liquor donated by MGM Liquor. “We don’t usually get to have a sushi and an ice bar at the Gala!” commented Jan Halleen, director of purchasing of Northwestern’s bookstore. As evening descended, colored lights began glimmering around the bar, fading from blue, to green, to purple and red. “It’s beautiful,” said Jamie Greenawalt, the daughter of Kent Greenawalt president of Foot Levelers, Inc. “We went outside and said, ‘Wow!’”

As the night progressed, about 430 guests dressed to the nines filtered in. From fur coats to gowns that would out-do Scarlett O’Hara, guests looked stunning as they walked about the building. Activities included casino games, extravagant raffle baskets, professional portrait opportunities, building tours, and of course, dinner and dancing.

Prior to dinner, Greenawalt, the 2008 Brilliant Star Honoree, delivered an inspiring speech. He urged guests to ask themselves, “What would I do if I knew I couldn’t fail?” He encouraged the audience to give back to the chiropractic community and to keep concern for the patient as their primary focus. The highlight of the evening was Greenawalt announcing that Foot Levelers will match, up to $500,000, every dollar donated by the Northwestern community, illustrating his continued commitment to the University. “Kent’s donation means a lot to Northwestern,” said Jim McDonald, MBA, vice president of administrative services at Northwestern.

As the night came to a close, it was deemed a success. “Everything came together very well,” concluded Dr. Sawyer. According to Brady Forseth, BA, chief development officer, the amount of money raised at the Gala to support Northwestern is still being totaled. “The Gala is not just a fundraiser for Northwestern, but also a ‘friendraiser,’” noted Forseth.

Northwestern Health Sciences University offers a wide array of choices in natural health care education including chiropractic, Oriental medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic massage and human biology. The University has nearly 900 students on a 25-acre campus in Bloomington, Minnesota.