Adelphi University's 26th Annual Gala to Celebrate First-Generation Students and Completion of Record-Breaking Fundraising Campaign
Garden City, NY (09/03/2026) — Adelphi University will host its 26th Annual Gala on Saturday, September 19, at The Garden City Hotel. This year's Gala will be a heartfelt tribute to the University's first-generation students and the dedicated donors who support them. The evening will also welcome the University's first alumni president, Michael Balboni '81, JD, and mark the triumphant conclusion of Adelphi's historic Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact, which surpassed its $100 million goal well ahead of an anticipated 2027 deadline.
Centered on the theme of first-generation students, the Gala will shine a spotlight on current students and alumni who are the first in their families to pursue the dream of a college degree. Guests will hear powerful stories from our first-generation scholars and the visionary donors whose support made their educational journeys possible.
A Historic Milestone: $100 Million Raised for Adelphi's Future
Publicly launched in 2024, Adelphi's Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact has reached its ambitious $100 million goal a full year early-a testament to the extraordinary impact of the University's donors and partners. These funds are already hard at work, fueling student scholarships, innovative academic programs, faculty research and the student success initiatives that define our university. This year's Gala serves as a joyous "victory lap" for a philanthropic effort that will benefit generations of Panthers to come.
"When we launched the Momentum Campaign, our vision was to transform philanthropy at Adelphi and engage our community in owning our success," said Thomas Kline, EdD, Adelphi's Vice President of University Advancement and External Relations. "Reaching our historic $100 million goal early is a testament to the incredible generosity of the entire Adelphi community. This milestone fuels our trajectory and ensures a lasting impact on our students-especially the first-generation scholars we celebrate at this year's Gala."
The annual gala is a much beloved annual tradition, welcoming Adelphi community members, partners and friends. Guests will enjoy an evening featuring cocktails, dinner, multimedia and live performances, dancing and a celebration of Adelphi's alumni, friends and partners who make an Adelphi education possible.
For tickets and opportunities for sponsorship or digital ads, visit adelphi.edu/gala.
About Adelphi: A modern metropolitan university with a personalized approach to higher learning
Adelphi University, New York, is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students' lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning, and innovative ways to support academic and career success. U.S. News & World Report named Adelphi a 2026 Best National University, Best College for Veterans, and Top Performer in Social Mobility. In addition, Forbes has ranked Adelphi the top private university on Long Island for three past three years.
Adelphi serves more than 7,300 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, New York-just 23 miles from New York City's cultural and internship opportunities-and at dynamic learning hubs in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, as well as online.
More than 125,000 alumni Adelphi graduates have gained the skills to thrive professionally as active, engaged citizens, making their mark on the University, their communities and the world.
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Adelphi University will host its 26th Annual Gala on Saturday, September 19, at The Garden City Hotel.