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At The Washington Center's (TWC) annual Gala this year, close to 550 board members, staff, partners and friends of the organization gathered together at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The night highlighted TWC's partnerships with colleges and universities, donors, alumni, governments, internships sites and over 50,000 alumni worldwide. Guests travelled from places as distant as Hawaii and Puerto Rico to attend this event.

Cokie Roberts, Political Commentator for ABC News and Senior News Analyst for National Public Radio, served as the Master of Ceremonies during the event. She kicked off the night with a celebration of TWC's 50,000 alumni, both undergraduates and postgraduates, committed to TWC's three pillars: civic engagement, leadership and professional achievement.

Next Former Ambassador to Belgium Alan J. Blinken, TWC's Chairman of the Board, spoke about TWC's partnerships. Earlier that day, TWC hosted an Academic Affairs and Civic Engagement Awards Luncheon at the National Press Club, recognizing "the work of selected individuals and partners including the recipients of TWC's 2012 Academic Affairs Awards as well as the Higher Education Civic Engagement Awards sponsored by the New York Life Foundation, where civic engagement is a part of each recipient's curriculum." Ambassador Blinken finished up by toasting to generations of 50,000 alumni dedicated to both "leading and to serving."

2012 Pillar Award on Leadership

This year, the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) received the 2012 Pillar Award on Leadership. He is the most senior member of the Senate and President Pro-Tempore, as "one of the most remarkable people who have ever served our country." Before his time in both the House and the Senate, Inouye served in the decorated 442nd Regimental Combat team, made up of Japanese Americans who served their country during WWII, despite the discrimination they were facing at the time. At the end of his speech, Senator Inouye encouraged young professionals to "remember all of us have a duty; a duty to ourselves, to our families, and to help others. That's what you were selected for when you became an intern. Whatever you do, do so with honor."

2012 Pillar Award on Civic Engagement

TWC was excited to award Nancy Jacobson, Founder and CEO of No Labels and TWC alumna, with the 2012 Pillar Award on Civic Engagement. Since 1984, Jacobson has worked in Washington, D.C. as a strategic advisor, entrepreneur, executive, fundraiser and relationship/network cultivator. She is best known for founding No Labels in 2009, where she currently serves as the Founder & CEO. Jacobson remarked "having as your life mission the priority to make impact for good in the world, is one of the most satisfying and rewarding life paths to take.  My hope is that seeds get planted with the interns that work with my organization so that one day other young women and men will pursue a path for impact and engagement in the world."

2012 Pillar Award on Professional Achievement

TWC awarded its 2012 Pillar Award on Professional Achievement to the Honorable Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Majority Whip in the U.S. House of representatives. Congressman McCarthy represents the 22nd District of California. Accepting on the Congressman's behalf was TWC alumna, Jeannine Denholm, who is currently a field producer for "The Doctors."

2012 Lifetime Achievement Award

The night concluded with the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring Norman Y. Mineta, Former Secretary of Transportation for the Bush Administration and a member of TWC's National Advisory Board. This award is bestowed on an individual whose commitment to opportunity and youth leadership has advanced TWC's mission. TWC recognized Former Secretary Mineta not only for his outstanding leadership but also for his internationally recognized dedication to public service. One of the biggest surprises of the night was the guest appearance of his childhood and lifetime best friend and former Senator of Wyoming, Alan Simpson, as well as a special salute from President George W. Bush congratulating him on the award.

University and Corporate Partnerships

Michael B. Smith, TWC's President, spoke about the transformational experience of a quality internship, where students "may enter as interns but emerge as alumni with broader perspectives, stronger skills and real world experiences. In these times, The Washington Center's work is part of the solution and has never been more important." He also spoke about the role of partners and sponsors who help make so much of what TWC does possible. Over 30 university partners joined TWC for the evening, with 11 university presidents and chancellors in attendance including:

• Dana Mohler-Faria-Bridgewater State University
• Beth Dinndorf-Columbia College, South Carolina
• Doug Whitlock-Eastern Kentucky University
• Tom McGovern-Fisher College
• Ken Jones-Lubbock Christian University
• Dandy DiBiasio-Ohio Northern University
• Harold Shanck-Ohio Valley University
• Carlos Campo-Regent University
• Charles Middleton-Roosevelt University
• Jose Jaime Riviera-Sacred Heart University of Puerto Rico
• Shirley Raines-University of Memphis

The Prudential Foundation Partnership

President Smith also highlighted TWC's partnerships with corporation and foundation partners. He spoke about the wonderful relationships cultivated with the Prudential Foundation, which renewed and doubled its investment with TWC with a two million dollar grant over the next 3 years. The Prudential Foundation Global Citizens Program will enable 120 students from selected universities in Brazil, China, Korea, Taiwan, India and Japan an opportunity to spend a semester interning in Washington, D.C. President Smith was pleased to see "how this two-decade long partnership between The Washington Center and Prudential has evolved over these years."

The Washington Center raised nearly $500,000 in proceeds that will be designated as scholarships for our future students. We are thankful to our donors and contributors for making this year's Gala such a great success.

[View Photos of Gala 2012 on our Flickr Channel]