The University of West Georgia provides a holistic student experience – from Division I athletics to hands-on learning in state-of-the-art labs, all taking place within a vibrant, student-centered community.
Those excellent student experiences were celebrated – and advanced – Saturday night during the 2025 Presidential Black Tie Gala, during which more than 350 members of the university community raised $250,000 to support students.
The sold-out event is the university’s signature fundraising event of the year. Dr. Ashwani Monga, UWG’s interim president, shared keynote remarks about the life-changing impact of scholarship support.
“Since my first day here seven months ago, I have focused on a single goal: recruit more undergraduate students and offer them excellent student experiences so that they are ready when they graduate,” Monga shared with the audience. “Privately funded scholarships are playing a crucial role in recruiting talented students to UWG, but we need more support. For many of our students, a scholarship is not just something good to have, but something absolutely necessary.”
The event’s proceeds will support students by funding scholarships, which are essential in attracting and retaining top students and providing them with access to transformative opportunities inside and outside the classroom. Thanks to donor support, hundreds of students each year can remain enrolled and continue working toward their degrees.
Monga was joined in the program by Allyson Bretch ’14, CEO of the university’s foundations and vice president for university advancement (who also served as the event’s emcee); David Johnson ’96, a dedicated alumnus and supporter of UWG; and Cade Parian ’00, who served as the event’s auctioneer.
“Hosted in partnership with the UWG Foundation, this is our signature fundraising event of the year, and we are thrilled to share that we raised $250,000 to fund scholarships for students,” Bretch said. “This evening is all about how we can best position students for careers that enhance their lives and the lives of their families for generations to come. We could not achieve excellence in service to students without the critical role our supporters provide.”
Johnson shared how pivotal his experience at UWG was in the formation of his life and career and how honored he is to make an impact on the lives of current and future students.
“When I was a student here, I received scholarships that helped make my education possible,” Johnson said. “I promised myself that one day I would repay every dollar I was given, and I’m proud to say I’ve not only done that but exceeded it. I also endowed some of them so that students have the same opportunity I had every year. The connections I made here, through Kappa Sigma Fraternity, on the Debate Team and across campus, shaped who I am and opened doors I never imagined.”
While attendees enjoyed dinner designed by Chef Jacqueline Fenton-Miller and catered by Dine West, they also delighted in musical performances from students from UWG’s College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
During his remarks, Monga shared his gratitude with the gathered supporters, highlighting five current UWG students and four recent alumni whose lives were changed by the generosity of the people, businesses and organizations who support UWG.
“These are just nine out of thousands of success stories that we are trying to write every day at the University of West Georgia,” Monga said. “Your contributions are helping write many of these stories. You are shaping lives and fulfilling potential.”
Following the presidential address and live auction, guests danced the night away outside the Campus Center to the musical stylings of The Party Crashers, voted the nation’s No. 1 party band.
Details on next year’s Presidential Black Tie Gala will be released in the coming months. Stay tuned the UWG Presidential Black Tie Gala webpage for updates.
To learn more about how you can support exceptional student experiences at UWG, visit the Give West webpage.
