An Evening to Remember: The NYU Shanghai "Lighting the Way" Scholarship Gala

On the evening of November 2, 2015, the NYU Shanghai Education Development Foundation hosted its First Annual “Lighting the Way” Scholarship Gala on the 15^th floor colloquium of NYU Shanghai. The Gala brought together 78 scholarship recipients and 14 donors for an evening of conversation, dinner, and entertainment. Wine glasses designed by students Sandra Kohn and Jingyi Sun for the NYU Shanghai Gift Design Competition were presented to donors at the Gala, and NYU Shanghai students performed three medleys for the guests in attendance.

Several of the Foundation’s Board Members spoke during the Gala including Foundation Executive Director Teng Yilong, who expressed his excitement to be involved with NYU Shanghai, and thanked the donors for their support. Foundation Vice Chairman and Chairman of Vantone Holdings Feng Lun spoke about education, and how choosing a university can determine a life’s trajectory. Dr. Feng spoke about his own academic experiences as a life-long learner, and said it was NYU’s global perspective that had initially drawn him to support the university. In his speech, NYU Shanghai Chancellor and Foundation Vice Chairman Yu Lizhong reminded students of the duty they will have upon graduation – to turn around and lend a helping hand to young scholars who come after them, and contribute to the grand undertaking of NYU and NYU Shanghai like the generous supporters who came before them. NYU President John Sexton gave the evening’s closing remarks.