Utah Valley University’s (UVU) President’s Scholarship Ball, the 34th annual black-tie gala that raises vital funds for student scholarships, will be held September 28, 2024, at the UCCU Center on UVU’s Orem Campus. The reception will begin at 5:30 pm, and the program and dinner will commence at 7 pm.

Attendees will include alumni, business and community leaders, faculty, staff, and, most importantly, students. The UVU President’s Scholarship Ball has a rich legacy and tradition of excellence. For more than 30 years, this annual event has brought supporters together to provide full-tuition scholarships for high-performing students who are awarded the Presidential Scholarship.

The university’s goal is to raise $1 million at this event — last year’s ball raised more than $667,000, which helped fund 382 full-tuition scholarships, many of which went to first-generation students. Since its inception more than three decades ago, the President’s Scholarship Ball has provided scholarships to more than 3,000 students, with nearly $4 million raised in funds.  

“In 2023-2024, UVU educated 44,653 students and celebrated 10,197 graduates,” shared President Astrid S. Tuminez. “Our student retention and completion rates are the highest in our history. We have placed students at Harvard, MIT, Oxford, and Cambridge, and we graduate the most Utahns in the state, with 77% of UVU alumni staying in Utah ten years after graduation. The support received at the President’s Scholarship Ball ensures students have the needed preparation to become Utah’s future workforce, voters, citizens, and families.”

This year’s event will feature music by the internationally recognized student a cappella group Bloom. Additional featured performances will include Repertory Ballet Ensemble and UVU’s award-winning Ballroom Dance Company. A five-course meal prepared by UVU’s Culinary Arts Institute students will be enjoyed by all.

Eldon Van Orman ’23, accounting, said the following about receiving a Presidential Scholarship: “I achieved a 3.98 GPA in high school and a 31 on the ACT, which qualified me for the UVU Presidential Scholarship. This accomplishment has been crucial to the rest of the decisions I have been able to make since then. I have learned that hard work in the present makes for a brighter future. I feel this has been my greatest accomplishment, as it has directly impacted my success in other categories of my life. I am extremely grateful for this scholarship that has helped me accomplish my goal.”

The university will also highlight the progress of UVU’s comprehensive campaign, EverGREEN. In 2023, it was announced that the endowment reached the $100 million mark. EverGREEN aims to raise $350 million to transform the lives of UVU students.

To make a gift to UVU’s President’s Scholarship Ball, please visit the 2024 website.