Cleveland State University’s fourth annual Radiance: CSU Realizing the Promise gala was its most successful yet, raising a record-setting $1 million for CSU scholarships.

“These scholarships are more than just dollars,” said CSU President Ronald M. Berkman. “They are truly life-changing and allow students to achieve their goal of graduating from college.”

The event was held Friday, May 9, 2014, in the CSU Student Center’s Glasscock Family Foundation Ballroom, newly rechristened in honor of CSU alumni Lee and Larry Glasscock. A generous gift from the couple and The Glasscock Family Foundation will fund full-tuition scholarships, including room and board, for first-generation college students at CSU’s Monte Ahuja College of Business.

As part of the festivities, President Berkman awarded the President’s Medal, the University’s most prestigious nonacademic honor, to Eric Gordon, chief executive officer of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. CSU and CMSD are partners in Campus International School and MC2STEM High School.

The program also included an inspirational speech by Radiance Scholar Shannon Yarbrough, who graduated the following day from CSU with a master’s degree in occupational therapy. She hopes to begin her professional career working with children in Cleveland schools.

Among the VIPs in attendance were CSU faculty members Dr. Julian Earls and Dr. Toshinori Munakata, who received honorary degrees at CSU’s Spring 2014 Commencement.

Inside the ballroom, with its sweeping views of downtown Cleveland, hundreds of guests sipped cocktails and wine, dined on hors d’oeuvres and enjoyed music by CSU students. Thomas Adler and Timothy Cosgrove served as chairs of the event, presented by CSU and the Cleveland State University Foundation.

Over the past four years, Radiance has generated $2.6 million to fund scholarships for more than 550 CSU students in good academic standing who were at risk for dropping out of school because of financial issues.