OU leaders attend POH Riley Foundation's Black Tie Gala

From left, OU representatives at the POH Riley Foundation’s 7th Annual Black Tie Gala included POH Riley Foundation Communications Specialist and OU alumna Kaniqua Daniel, POH Regional Medical Center Vice President of Medical Affairs an OU alum Dr. Steven Calkin, OU Senior Associate Provost Susan Awbrey, OU Director of Pre-College Programs Reginald McCloud, OU Vice President for Student Affairs Mary Beth Snyder, OU Vice President for Outreach Mary Otto, Oakland Circuit Judge and OU alum Leo Bowman and POH Riley Foundation Intern and OU alumna Tamara Kukuk.

A group of Oakland University leaders including Vice President for Student Affairs Mary Beth Snyder, Vice President for Outreach Mary Otto and Senior Associate Provost Susan Awbrey recently represented the university at the POH Riley Foundation’s 7th Annual Black Tie Gala at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.

The foundation was formed in 2004 to support the hospital’s philanthropic mission to enhance the quality of life and health status of all people, regardless of their financial status.

Among the foundation’s recent initiatives is support of the Pontiac Promise Zone Scholarship Fund, which was modeled after the Kalamazoo promise to help cover college tuition costs for all Pontiac students. OU is among a number of public and private donors who have helped raise more than $300,000 for the fund.

“Move over Kalamazoo!” Governer Jennifer Granholm said at the gala. “Pontiac is on your tail and we’re not going to stop until every student in the Pontiac School District has a free college education.”

The event welcomed an array of local dignitaries, including State Representative Tim Melton and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. A number of students who may benefit from the philanthropic event also attended.

“I’m extremely excited that I may have the opportunity to go to college for free,” said Tsimour Yang, a sophomore at Pontiac High School. “I’m very thankful. This gives so many kids the chance to achieve their goals and dreams.”