Do you remember a dream you’ve had that was so close you could almost reach out and grab it? Almost. Scholarships are that last arm’s length to help students get degrees that can change their lives and put their college passions into action.

This past Thursday at the Seawall Ballroom, CU Denver Business School hosted Celebration of Success, a gala to fundraise for student scholarships. 400-plus community members, donors, students, faculty, staff, and a prominent keynote speaker came together for the cause. Alumni Natasha Herring and Dave Baker and community leader Bob Deibel each received the inaugural Impact Awards for their contributions to the CU Denver Business School community and beyond. Scholarship recipients took to the podium to express how generous donations heavily contribute to their academic success and even put food on their tables.

Daymond John of ABC’s Shark Tank closed out the night with an inspiring message to the masses, words on entrepreneurial tenacity, business philosophies, and why he values “investing in the future.” In addition, John met with 13 scholarship award winners for a private Q&A to address their burning questions about getting ahead, serving their communities, and what makes a successful entrepreneur tick. He offered wisdom about finding value and doing what you love and that money doesn’t necessarily lead to success. He challenged the group, “It all started with one person with one idea who took action. Why can’t it be you?” Scholarship awardee and international student Thiago Naiman Nejm attested to his point, “Talking to someone I have admired for such a long time helped me believe that it only takes one idea to change the world, so why can’t it be mine?”

“Talking to someone I have admired for such a long time helped me believe that it only takes one idea to change the world, so why can’t it be mine?”

Thiago Naiman Nejm

Dreams like that of Thiago will be fueled by the $250K raised at the Celebration of Success. There’s still time to make your impact on CU Denver Business School’s student success. Donate today!