Carolers and candlelight ushered in the Christmas season and welcomed guests to Trinity Western University’s 2013 Christmas in the City Gala at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel. Thanks to the generosity of Gala attendees and supporters, the signature event raised $1,079,960, exceeding its $1 million fundraising goal for the evening.
TWU President Bob Kuhn addressed attendees, sharing his vision of a New Era for Trinity Western. “In God’s timing, we are led to the edge of a new era; a new beginning,” he said. “In the case of TWU, I believe that our prayers for the Trinity of tomorrow will not only be answered, but will be dwarfed by God’s blessings to come. We will be like those prayerful pioneers of 1962 who, looking back on the humble beginnings of Trinity Junior College, praise God for doing more than they dreamed possible.”
Kuhn noted several of the University’s accomplishments, such as its high rankings in Canadian University Report and National Survey of Student Engagement, and the achievements of TWU’s Spartan Athletics elite sports program with its unparalleled record of success on the national athletics stage over the past 10 years—most recently with the U Sports gold medal achievements of the women’s soccer and cross-country teams. He spoke about TWU’s world-renowned research and recent achievement of a fourth Canada Research Chair, and a broadened international impact through unprecedented programming such as the newly launched Great Wall MBA delivered by Trinity Western in China. He also pointed out the many accomplishments of alumni serving around the world, and TWU’s extraordinary reputation for professional programs in nursing, education, and business.
The Nativity theme was woven into the evening through alumni speakers Mark Stockburger (’96) and Jenny Hawkinson (’11), and in vocal performances from Carolyn Arends (’89) and Paul Ouellette (’93). Current TWU students joined guests at each table, and shared their stories.
“These funds will provide the resources we need to take our first steps into the new era for TWU, and help us to fulfill our mission of developing the godly Christian leaders of tomorrow,” said Kuhn.
Click here to view the 2013 Christmas in the City photo gallery.
Watch the video that kicked off Christmas in the City below.