Benson Society Gala videos

Emceed by veteran 9 News anchor and former CU Cancer Center patient Mark Koebrich, the 2025 Benson Society Gala featured live jazz and ballroom dance performances, an opera performance by CU Boulder alumnus and Grammy Award winner Wei Wu, remarks from President Todd Saliman, and an inspiring on-stage conversation about the innovative, philanthropy-powered research and care taking place at the Katy O. and Paul M. Rady Esophageal and Gastric Center of Excellence at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. 

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Led by CU Denver student emcee Bria Combs, the 2024 gala highlighted inspiring examples of student success, from the musical talents of singer/songwriter Katie Yeager and jazz trombonist Nate Bitter to the artistry of Max Rowe, who created a painting on stage before guests' eyes.

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The 2023 gala featured the Eklund Opera Theater Singers, Spinphony's ballet and jazz troupe and remarks from UCCS student Seth Lindsey, our emcee.

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In 2022, CU alumna and Rhodes Scholar Serene Singh emceed the gala and shared her story of student success. Eric Cornell, a CU professor and Nobel laureate, spoke to guests about the importance of involving students in the process of scientific discovery.

CU’s only virtual Benson Society Gala featured CU alumnus Phillip Lindsay and four videos demonstrating the impact of our members’ generosity on each CU campus.

Dr. Frank Wu, a distinguished professor of law at the University of California Hastings, shared his expertise on the value of higher education at the 2019 gala.

At the inaugural gala, emcees Amy Stewart and Wes Mason guided guests on a journey through CU’s history, from its early days in Boulder to its future role in solving complex problems for humanity.