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The 32nd annual President’s Scholarship Ball is held at the UCCU Center on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.

Courtesy August Miller, UVU Marketing

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The 32nd annual President’s Scholarship Ball is held at the UCCU Center on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.

Courtesy Isaac Hale, UVU Marketing

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The 32nd annual President’s Scholarship Ball is held at the UCCU Center on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.

Courtesy Emily Muñoz, UVU Marketing

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The 32nd annual President’s Scholarship Ball is held at the UCCU Center on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.

Courtesy Isaac Hale, UVU Marketing

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A long-held tradition at Utah Valley University will, for the 33rd time, bring friends of UVU together to help raise scholarship money for the university.

The President’s Scholarship Ball is an annual black-tie gala that raises funds for student scholarships and this year will be held Oct. 7 in the UCCU Center on UVU’s Orem campus. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with the program and dinner at 7 p.m.

Attendees will include students; university, business and community leaders; and others interested in helping UVU students. Last year’s ball raised $455,500, which helped fund 382 full-tuition scholarships.

“The scholarship ball is UVU’s premier social event,” said Astrid S. Tuminez, president of UVU. “The community turns out to celebrate Utah’s best and brightest students and support them in their higher education journey. We combine delicious food, first-class entertainment and inspirational stories in one joyful evening that elevates everyone.”

This year’s event will highlight the progress of UVU’s comprehensive campaign, EverGREEN. It will also feature music by the student a cappella club Bloom, performances from a Cultural Envoy dance team and UVU’s award-winning Ballroom Dance Company, in addition to a multicourse meal prepared by UVU’s Culinary Arts Institute students. Attendees can also dance the night away to tunes provided by a professional DJ.

“UVU is synonymous with student success and achievement,” said Kyle Reyes, vice president of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the UVU Foundation. “This year’s donations will make it possible for hundreds of students to transform their futures and achieve their dreams through higher education.”

The UVU President’s Scholarship Ball is one of several UVU initiatives geared toward helping students graduate without financial burden. Thirty-six percent of UVU students — many of them first-generation students or coming from underrepresented populations and unable to pursue higher education without financial assistance — are awarded need-based scholarships or grants.

Hyrum Williams, a nursing student who will graduate in 2024, said, “As college students, we are always dealing with stress. Not having the added financial stress has allowed me to really focus on what I will be doing as a nurse.”

This year’s title sponsor will be Target River, a full-service marketing agency that assists clients nationwide in sectors such as business, nonprofit, education and government agencies. Other sponsors at top donation levels include the Chrysalis Foundation, Utah Community Credit Union, Roger and Gwen Connors, The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints Foundation and Xlear.

The ball is open to the public, though tickets are currently sold out. To be added to a wait list or to find other ways to give, visit https://uvu.edu.