CSU-Pueblo 2005 President’s Scholarship Gala to celebrate “A World of Difference”  
             
Pueblo- “A World of Difference,” the 2005 President’s Scholarship Gala Colorado State University-Pueblo, to be held on Friday, April 29 will feature international culture, cuisine, and clothing, performances by some of the University’s finest student musicians, and recognition of two University supporters.

The Gala will begin at 6 p.m. in the Occhiato University Center Hearthwell Lounge with cocktails, a silent auction of more than 60 items, and the first of many performances by CSU-Pueblo music students. Attendees will experience international cultures, cuisine, and clothing through the evening’s music, decorations, and menu. Guests are encouraged to wear ethnic clothing, and many of the University’s international students will be dressed in the clothing of their home countries.

The dinner and program, hosted by 1995 Mass Communications Alumnus Kevin Lockhart, KKLI assistant general manager and radio personality, will begin at 7 p.m. with an appetizer and dessert menu reflecting the world’s cuisine. Appetizers will include Greek gourmet olives, Norwegian smoked salmon, Mexican quesadillas, Vietnamese spring rolls, and Chinese potstickers. The dessert menu will include Middle Eastern, Russian, Greek, and English cookies, torts from Germany and Austria, Greek baklava, Australian/New Zealand pavlova, and a Swiss chocolate fondue fountain.
 
After dinner, CSU-Pueblo President Ron Applbaum will present Dr. Malik M. Hasan and Seeme Gull Khan Hasan with President’s Medallions for Distinguished Service. The Hasans have contributed more than $2.2 million to the University, which has supported the Hasan School of Business, Colorado Music Fest, and construction of the Hasan Amphitheatre.
 
Dancing to All that Jazz, a student ensemble directed by junior music major Wayne
Hoey, will follow the program. Tickets for the event are $100 per person or $1,000 per corporate table of 8. The entire evening’s expenses have been underwritten by donors, guaranteeing that all proceeds will directly benefit future generations of CSU-Pueblo students through merit scholarships.
 
For additional information or to make reservations, call (719) 549-2380.

Dr. Malik M. Hasan and Seeme Gull Khan Hasan
Born in New Dehli, India and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, Dr. Hasan will receive the President’s Medallion for Distinguished Service to the University. Dr. Hasan started a private neurology practice in Pueblo, Colorado, in 1975 and was instrumental in upgrading the medical facilities as well as starting outreach programs to rural areas and recruiting several physicians in various specialties. Throughout his career, Dr. Hasan has been recognized nationally for his innovative medical management and preventive medicine. In 1995, the Hasans gave the largest gift in University history, a $2 million gift to the School of Business to support construction of a new building as well as an endowment to support business programs. In recognition of the gift, the new building was named in their honor. Groundbreaking for the building began in May of 1995, with classes commencing in January of 1998.



Seeme Gull Khan Hasan will receive the President’s Medallion for Distinguished Service to Education. She has spent three decades in service to local, state, and national non-profit organizations and to the education of others, particularly through the creative and performing arts. Since Sept. 11, Seeme has sought to increase American’s knowledge of Muslim issues through the founding of Muslims for America. She has thrown herself into public speaking and editorial writing to educate others about American Muslims. Seeme is active in state and national Republican Party and advises the White House on Muslim public relations issues. In recognition of her work on behalf of the American Muslim community, she was awarded the “2004 Woman of the Year” by Saffeer A. Pakistan in conjunction with TV Pakistan.

She was instrumental in developing the Hasan Family Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing better understanding between developing countries and the United States through the arts. The foundation has sponsored numerous art shows featuring world of Muslim artists and supported numerous exchange students.

Mrs. Hasan is well-known as the founder of the University’s Colorado Music Fest, an annual series of music education camps and performances, which will celebrate its 12th season this summer and conclude with a July 4th fireworks show and concert in the amphitheatre that bears the Hasan name. The Pueblo Hispanic Education Foundation recently named in her honor the PEACE (Providing Education in Cultural Equality) Award for her work with Hispanic at-risk population. The award provides an annual scholarship to a deserving student.

Mrs. Hasan’s quest to educate others also extends to local schools through support of The Pueblo Chieftain’s Newspapers in Education program, which distributes newspapers to area teachers for use in their classrooms.

The Hasans have three children: Aliya Gull Hasan, M.D., attorney and author Asma Gull Hasan, J.D., and Ali Hasan, filmmaker and student.

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.