Lawrence Technological University’s 1st Scholarship Gala Exceeded Expectations

Nearly 400 alumni, staff, faculty, and friends celebrated Lawrence Technological University’s first Scholarship Gala at The Mint in Lathrup Village on June 1, 2024. The event honored students, faculty, and alumni for their accomplishments and highlighted the value of scholarships for talented and deserving students.

After a bustling cocktail reception, guests moved into the venue’s event space for an elegant dinner and inspiring program emceed by Fox 2 News anchor Charlie Langton.

Langton’s shout-outs to guests such as 1978 alumnus Ken Grezlik, two-time alumnus Shannon Dare Wayne, and incoming Board of Trustees chair Victor Saroki (BSAr’79, BAr’80, HD’08) added a personalized touch to a packed program, which included speeches, awards, and moving stories of students whose lives were transformed through scholarship support. “The detailing of current scholarship award winners opened the eyes of many in attendance who may have known little about the importance of scholarships for LTU students,” said 1981 alum Ed Zyjewski, one of the gala’s 30+ sponsors.

1980s alums Peter Barclae and John Sammut were honored with Ray Awards for their positive contributions to LTU, including their volunteer efforts with Blue Devil Motorsports and dedication to raising funds for the Phi Kappa Upsilon endowed scholarship on LTU’s Giving Day two years in a row.

Retired LTU professor Richard Lundstrom received the Luminary Award for his lifelong impact on the LTU community after two of his former students, Javad Mokhbery (BSME’79) and Richard Woroniec (BSME’78, MSAE’11), gave heartfelt tributes from the podium.

“Introductions of and stories about past professors were entertaining as well as emotional,” Zyjewski said.

Graduating seniors Juliana Azzi and JaJuan Jones were presented with Donley Awards for their academic achievement, campus leadership, student employment, and community engagement.

Speeches by LTU President Tarek Sobh, Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Kevin Finn, and pre-medical studies alum Haya Sobh, along with well-crafted videos, reinforced the evening’s theme, with a special focus on scholarships aimed at students from underserved communities.

The audience’s Blue Devil pride was especially evident during a keynote speech by John Donley, whose father, 1943 alum Ed Donley, rose from humble beginnings to public and independent leadership positions of significance— including his tenure as chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce under former President Ronald Reagan.

Donley reflected on the impact of LTU’s transformative education and the importance of giving back, particularly to the university that changed his father’s life by offering him a scholarship; in return, the Donley family has donated generously to the Edward Donley Scholars Program throughout the years.

Added LTU’s historian Bruce Annett: “The Scholarship Gala was a significant commemoration of support for Lawrence Tech’s primary mission—the education of tomorrow’s extraordinary ‘doers’ and thought leaders. Being with so many significant donors and scholarship recipients was both energizing and humbling; so much good is being done for many so deserving.”

Save the Date: May 17, 2025

LTU’s second annual Scholarship Gala is set for May 17, 2025. The gala promises to be another evening filled with Blue Devil pride as faculty, students, and alumni are honored for their outstanding achievements.

Help us celebrate the university’s past and present while expanding future access to LTU’s high-quality STEAM education for deserving students, particularly those from underserved communities.

For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kevin Finn at kfinn@ ltu.edu