In May, College Possible Chicago held its inaugural Results by Degrees benefit at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art. Over 300 supporters from Chicago’s business and philanthropic communities attended. The event kicked off with a cocktail reception, during which attendees had an opportunity to mingle and network with many of College Possible’s high school seniors and college students.
Cocktails were followed by the evening’s program, which began with remarks from recent college graduate, Brittney Austin, and College Possible coach, Zoe Call, who shared their stories and journeys with College Possible. Their insights were followed by a fireside chat with the night’s honorees, Eric Smith, Chief Operating Officer for Fifth Third Bank Chicago, and Steve Kaplan, Neubauer Family Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance at the University of Chicago. Gretchen Crosby Sims, Executive Director at The University of Chicago Institute of Politics, moderated the chat.
Honorees shared how education has helped shaped them and their careers. They discussed entrepreneurship, revitalizing communities and the impact education has on our economy. The evening concluded by Steve and Eric answering questions from students, who wanted to learn more about the challenges they faced while navigating college and their careers. The audience left knowing that Chicago can make progress when our city, philanthropic, and corporate communities collectively focus on key goals and commit to a set of investments toward those goals. It was an inspiring evening, allowing us to raise over $400,000 in support of College Possible’s critical mission to get Chicago’s students to and through college.
To view the video we premiered at the event, click here. If you were unable to join us or missed the chance to make a donation, you can still do so here!
