Andrea Marcovicci, considered the “most Sinatra-like” of the new generation of cabaret singers, performed for 200 guests at the GTU Benefit Gala in San Francisco on Saturday, February 5. The Gala was held at the Westin St. Francis on Union Square.

Several GTU alums spoke at the event, including David Batstone (Ph.D. '89), University of San Francisco professor, executive editor of Sojourners magazine, and columnist at Business 2.0 magazine. Linda Moody (Ph.D. '93) also spoke; she holds the Leavens Chair, Robert F. Leavens Endowment for the Chaplaincy and Teaching of Religion, at Mills College.

Peggy Olsen, GTU Trustee, took the lead in organizing the Gala. She said “it was an extraordinary evening, bringing together those who support and believe in the mission of the GTU in an atmosphere which combined superb food and wines, incredible entertainment, and a warm feeling of camaraderie.”

Proceeds from the Gala support the Price of Wisdom campaign, which offers fellowships to promising students at the GTU. Inaugurated in 1998-9, the three-year campaign to raise $450,000 of direct support has now reached the $280,000 mark. The new endowment funds have reached $765,000, with a goal of two million. Financial aid for students is an institutional priority at the GTU.