28th Annual Foundation Gala
Thank you for being part of our 28th Annual HCCC Foundation Gala!
Fifty Years Strong. One Unforgettable Evening. Fifty and Forward!
This year's honorees are Provident Bank and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey!
The Hudson County Community College Foundation invites you to our 28th Annual Gala on Thursday, December 4 at 6 p.m. at HCCC’s Culinary Arts Center.
This year’s Gala takes on added significance as part of Hudson County Community College’s
50th Anniversary Celebration: Fifty and Forward! Join us for a truly memorable evening featuring the exceptional cuisine and desserts
prepared by our talented culinary students and staff.
View Invitation
Mission and Impact
The Gala is the Foundation’s largest and most important fundraising event of the year.
For five decades, HCCC has opened the doors of higher education to Hudson County residents.
Today, more than two-thirds of our students face challenges such as food insecurity, housing insecurity, and even homelessness. Many are first-generation students striving to change the trajectory of their families.
The Foundation is laser-focused on removing these barriers to success through:
- Scholarship support
- Endowment growth
- Books and technology resources
- Programmatic support
Join Us
The impact of this year’s Gala will extend far beyond one evening. Every dollar raised
helps students persist, graduate, and thrive.
We look forward to celebrating 50 years of achievement with you on December 4—and building the path Fifty and Forward.
Go to:
Provident Bank
With a rich history that dates back to its founding in Jersey City in 1839, Provident Bank is proud to be New Jersey's oldest and second largest financial institution. With over $24 billion in assets and more than 1,800 dedicated team members, we are committed to putting our customers at the center of all we do.
At Provident Bank, our focus is on delivering personalized financial solutions that meet the unique needs of both individuals and businesses. Whether you're visiting one of our 140+ convenient branches across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, connecting through our mobile and online banking platforms, or speaking with our friendly team at our customer contact center, you can count on an exceptional experience every step of the way.
We also offer comprehensive fiduciary and wealth management services through Beacon Trust, and a full suite of insurance solutions through Provident Protection Plus-both wholly owned subsidiaries of Provident Bank. Every interaction reflects our deep-rooted promise to be committed to our customers, our communities, and their financial well-being.
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
For over 85 years, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (BCBSNJ) has served generations of New Jersey families and businesses. We are committed to providing financial protection and peace of mind through affordable health insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is the company trusted by the majority of NJ’s residents.
For the community, from the community
The diversity of our employee population is reflective of the rich diversity of our great state of New Jersey. It’s part of who we are as a company and represents the strength and vibrancy of our culture. Our range of backgrounds, education, experiences, abilities and perspectives have helped our employees in their work to improve the health care experience for our members and the communities we serve. Throughout our long and proud history of serving the people of New Jersey, one thing is evident—our employees truly care about our communities and our members.
Learn more about our dedication to diversity. https://www.horizonblue.com/diversity/
Our members matter
Our members are our neighbors, our friends and our families. It’s this understanding that drives us to better serve and care for the 3.6 million people who trust us with their health.
Providing access to quality care is integral to our mission.
And we have many programs in place to help do just that, including
- Access to professional medical advice through our 24/7 Nurse Line
- Prenatal, chronic care and transplant programs
- Case Management for those who need the most support
- Behavioral health services
- Lifestyle improvement resources
- And many other patient support programs
(https://www.horizonblue.com/members/wellness)
We strongly believe in giving our members tools that empower them to make informed
decisions regarding their care.
CELEBRITY GUEST
Chef Brian Edgar Lopes
AAS Culinary Arts Alumni, Class of 2015
CELEBRITY GUEST
CHEF BRIAN EDGAR LOPES
AAS Culinary Arts Alumni, Class of 2015
Chef Brian Edgar Lopes has always possessed a strong passion for the culinary field. Originating from Belleville, NJ, he carries rich Portuguese heritage. The culture of Chef Brian has significantly shaped his cooking style, as he enjoyed numerous summers in Portugal during his youth.
In 2015, he graduated from the Culinary Arts Institute of HCCC, earning an AAS Culinary Arts degree. This foundational training propelled him into a career that included work in restaurants recognized by the James Beard Foundation. After completing his education, Chef Brian applied his expertise at George Mendes’s Michelin-starred establishments, Aldea and Lupulo, located in New York City. He also served as a chef instructor at Heirloom Kitchen Restaurant.
Seeking a deeper connection to his roots, Chef Brian ventured to Spain and Portugal. There, he worked at Bel Canto in Lisbon, Portugal and the Parador Hotels in Spain, further enhancing his understanding of the authentic cuisine from that area.
Upon his return to the United States, he took on the role of Chef de Cuisine at Lita in Aberdeen, NJ, which earned recognition from Esquire Magazine as one of the Best 50 New Restaurants in 2023.
Chef Brian’s professional journey has been featured not only in print but also on various television shows. He appeared on Beat Bobby Flay in an episode titled “How You Bean,” as well as on Chopped and, more recently, Alex vs. America.
Currently, Chef Brian holds the position of Executive Chef at Mercado Montclair. He
is happily married to his wife Denise, and together they are parents to two young
children.
Sponsorship Benefits
In honor of Hudson County Community College’s 50th Anniversary, we invite visionary supporters to join a new giving level created exclusively for this milestone year.
With a contribution of $25,000, members of the Endowment Circle help establish a permanent, income-generating fund that will benefit HCCC students for generations to come.
This leadership gift ensures your impact continues well beyond a single evening, providing scholarships, programs, and opportunities into the College’s next 50 years.
Recognition:
- Two tickets to the 2025 Gala
- Lifetime recognition as founding stewards of HCCC’s future
- Invitations to future gatherings honoring Endowment Circle members
Includes all Ambassador of the Arts benefits, plus:
- Full-page advertisement with company logo in our Gala ad journal
- Two on-stage tickets to the 2026 Commencement ceremony
- Personalized thank-you video from a Foundation scholarship recipient
- $1,000 dedicated to the Foundation Art Program
Includes all Community Sponsor benefits, plus:
- Private guided tour of the Foundation Art Collection
- Early access to HCCC Gallery openings
- $750 dedicated to the Foundation Art Program
The HCCC Foundation Art Collection includes paintings, sculptures, photography, drawings, limited-edition prints, and more, revealing aspects of America’s and New Jersey’s cultural heritage from the Hudson River School to today.
- Table for eight at the Gala
- Virtual ad displayed during the Gala
- $500 dedicated to the Foundation Art Program
- Table for four at the Gala
- $500 dedicated to the Foundation Art Program
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship Opportunities are now closed. Thank you!
HCCC Foundation 50th Anniversary Raffle!
Get your Golden Ticket!
Winning tickets will be drawn September 2026 at the NEW Center for Student Success!
- Tickets are $100 each.
- Cash Prize (Maximum prize of $50,000)
- Only 1,000 tickets available 50/50
- You do not need to be present at the Gala to win the raffle.
All proceeds will support Hudson County Community College Foundation Scholarships/Endowments.
Foundation Board Gala Committee Members
James Egan
Stacy Gemma
Ceallaigh Lorenz-Talleyrand
Steve Mullen
Michelle Richardson
Tony Rico
Mark Rodrick
Ronnie Sevilla
Seema Shah
Contact Information
Hudson County Community College26 Journal Square, 14th Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07306(201) 360-4069
nicolebjohnsonFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE