Special Events

IMAGINE What If and What Will Be…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nearly 400 Orange County business and community leaders gathered on Saturday, September 24 for one of the liveliest philanthropic events of the year—Discovery Science Center’s Annual Gala. Chaired by Jeff and Andrea Reeves, the Imagine What If and What Will Be Gala raised $500,000 for science education and launched the announcement of Discovery Science Center’s transformative capital expansion plans.

True to the spirit of the Science Center, the atmosphere was a blend of science, imagination, fun and elegance with tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, exhibits, silent auction items and signature IMAGINE-tini cocktails! The Stonebridge Band, led by Gerald Ishibashi, provided entertainment for the evening in a beautifully adorned tent pavilion with Silver Dome Dinner Service by Turnip Rose Elite Catering.

Discovery Science Center President Joe Adams and Board Chairman Dan Bolar took to the stage to present the prestigious Arnold O. Beckman Award named in honor of the world-renowned scientist, inventor, business and civic leader, educator and philanthropist—and one of the Science Center’s founding donors.

CEO Jim Peterson received the corporate award on behalf of Microsemi for its outstanding leadership and commitment to science education. Jim is an ardent supporter of Discovery Science Center’s mission to educate children and serves as co-chair of its capital expansion cabinet. Paul Folino, Executive Chairman of Emulex Corporation, was recognized for his advocacy and championship of the Science Center for more than a decade.

Campaign cabinet co-chairs David Horowitz and Jim Peterson wowed guests with an exciting preview of Discovery Science Center’s planned expansion of its Santa Ana campus. The excitement of the evening reached a new pitch when members of the 501st Legion marched through the festive tent dressed as Star Wars characters and set the stage for President Joe Adams to announce the arrival of a new blockbuster exhibit, Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, on November 19, 2011. With Storm Troopers blocking the exits of the gala tent, Joe Adams playfully announced the start of the live auction and “raise the paddle.” Guests were encouraged to “bid big” and auctioneer Jeffrey Hodson’s enthusiastic energy and humor fueled the bidding.

Discovery Science Center gratefully acknowledges sponsors whose generosity made the event a success.

Albert Einstein Presenting Sponsor

Jim and Sheila Peterson | Microsemi Corporation

Thomas Edison Sponsors

Apples & Oranges Production | Tim and Pamela Winslow Kashani

Marta and Raj Bhathal | Carleen and Chuck Haggerty | Lydia and Ken Himes | Shelly and Steve Hupp | Linda and Bob Yellin

Linda and Kris Elftmann | Noelle Marketing Group

Sir Isaac Newton Sponsors

The Boeing Company

Emulex Corporation

Horowitz Group

Taco Bell Corp.

Alexander Graham Bell Sponsors

Dale and Sandi Dykema

Fluor

Paul F. Folino

Ingram Micro | IBM Corporation

Ralphs Grocery Company

Janet and James “Walkie” Ray

Wells Fargo Bank

Galileo Galilei Sponsors

Bank of America

Bolar Hirsch & Jennings LLP

The Capital Group Companies

Charitable Foundation

Edison International

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Andrea and Jeff Reeves

Great Park Conservancy

KPMG LLP

MacGillivray Freeman Films

Educational Foundation

Julie and Tom McDorman

Drs. Ralph and Sherry Opacic

Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.

UPS

U.S. Bank

Western National Group