The Alumni Pledge Gala Party organized in celebration of the recent launch of the alumni fundraising initiative, aimed at collecting 300,000 USD in donations for AUBG (first step on a 10-year 5 mln USD Pledge plan), was held in Sofia City Stage last Friday and welcomed over 300 alumni, students, trustees, guests of honor, faculty and administration. Greeted by the friendly organizers, the attendees were served a glass of excellent local wines, courtesy of alumni-owned Trakia Estate Granit Winery, and delicious party platters, on an evening that made fundraising history.
The event was opened and led through the night by the wonderful duo of hosts Hristo and Tsvetiana, and featured inspiring and passionate addresses from Nancy Schiller, president and CEO of the America for Bulgaria Foundation /ABF/, Dr David Evans, interim president of AUBG, Jordan Karabinov, president of AAA, Deyan Vassilev, chief instigator behind the initiative, and many others.
An extensive entertainment program shed light on many worthwhile donation causes, taking turns with a variety of musical performances and comic sketches from student and alumni led groups Rolling Tones, Broadway Musical & Rock Jamming clubs, Samodiva, Svetlina female folklore ensemble, Hard Candy theatre troupe, and AAA’s own Deyan Vassilev on accordion supporting the fine voice of Angela Rodel, Executive Director of Fulbright Bulgaria.
The highlight of the night came when Krassen Draganov, alumnus from Class of ’96 and founder and CPO at Dynamo Software company in Boston, addressed the audience in a video call with humble and passionate words of appreciation for AUBG and its community, and announced his $100,000 contribution towards the Alumni Pledge initiative. The news were met with storming applause and reinforced belief that the alumni all over the world take AUBG dear to their hearts and would soon follow suit in this commendable effort in support of our Alma Mater.
