Alumni, friends celebrate Third Annual Beaver Ball
Beavers from 10 states convene for gala at Iowa Events Center
Buena Vista University alumni and friends celebrated the Third Annual Beaver Ball by toasting honorees while making connections and raising funds for scholarships. The formal gala played out on Saturday evening inside the spectacular Junior Ballroom at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines.
“Alumni and friends from 10 states and seven decades came together to witness and celebrate everything that illustrates the power of connection and the strength of the BVU family. The Beaver Ball has quickly become one of those signature events we look forward to each year at Buena Vista University.”
-BVU President Brian A. Lenzmeier, Ph.D.
More than $130,000 was raised on a night in which two students, Morgan Malli and Jaden Swarts, shared insight on their BVU journeys. Malli, who graduated last May with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences, gave thanks for a wealth of BVU experiences that ranged from URMED (Undergraduate Rural Medicine Educational Development) to soccer to rock ensemble, and more.
“When I first imagined my future in medicine, I pictured a Grey’s Anatomy lifestyle—working in a large hospital, performing cutting-edge surgeries on rare cases,” said Malli, who came from Amana, Iowa. “But after spending time at Storm Lake’s Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, my vision shifted. I saw the deep, personal connections physicians had with their patients and the meaningful role they played in their community. I witnessed how those relationships improved patient care, and I realized that this was the kind of doctor I wanted to become. That experience put me on the path to practicing rural medicine in Iowa to give back to the communities that shaped me as I grew up.”
Likewise, Swarts, a special education major, imparted details of her work in the Storm Lake Community School District, as she has served children and teachers when not participating in track and field and Admissions, among other activities at BVU.
“In a perfect world, financial support should not be something that stops someone from achieving their dreams. Thankfully, I have not had to sacrifice my dreams due to financial support through BVU,” she said. “Being someone that has received academic scholarships through the University really made the difference in choosing BVU. I would not be able to stand here in front of you today as a Beaver if it were not for this support, so from the bottom of my heart I want to say, ‘Thank you.’”
Adrienne Haynes ’10, Monte Merz ’91, and Dennis Young ’65 gave acceptance speeches after earning alumni awards while “Friends of BVU” Bruce Larsen and John Mandelbaum did the same. Each honoree was featured through individual Beaver Ball videos to highlight their paths while marking the occasion.
“It was an unforgettable evening for all of us,” said President Brian A. Lenzmeier, Ph.D. “Alumni and friends from 10 states and seven decades came together to witness and celebrate everything that illustrates the power of connection and the strength of the BVU family. The Beaver Ball has quickly become one of those signature events we look forward to each year at Buena Vista University.”
Senior Director of Alumni & Donor Relations Sarah Johnson lauded the work of the honorees, a group of servant-leaders chosen for their awards by members of the BVU Alumni Association Board of Directors.
“Adrienne, Monte, Dennis, Bruce, and John keep putting others first as they continue to grow in their lives,” Johnson said. “It was powerful and humbling to witness how their selflessness segued Saturday into a sharing of scholarship gifts for others. We are ever grateful for all who joined us, and for those across the BVU family who continue to lift us up through their generosity.”
For more photos, award highlights, or to make a gift, see www.bvu.edu/beaverball.