Hudson County Community College Foundation to Host “Midnight in Paris” 27th Annual Gala

November 27, 2024

Fundraiser benefits HCCC students, honors PTK National Honor Society and HCCC Chapter leader.


November 27, 2024, Jersey City, NJ – The Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Foundation invites business leaders, friends, and residents to an enchanting evening of French cuisine and culture, and a celebration of distinguished guests at its 27th Annual Gala.

The “Midnight in Paris” themed event takes place Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 6 p.m. in the HCCC Culinary Conference Center, 161 Newkirk Street, Jersey City, NJ. Guests will enjoy cabaret music, French-themed rooms, and Parisian food and drink prepared by talented HCCC chef-instructors and culinary students and presented by servers in berets and scarves. Highlights include French 75 cocktails; Moulin Rouge seafood bar; Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Le Chartier, Le Café, Rue de Rivoli, and Louvre Museum kitchens; an Eiffel Tower photo station; and an Andy Warhol “Perrier” screen print and collection of French artists’ works from the Foundation Art Collection.

Pictured here the College’s 2024 PTK inductees with HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber (center).

The Hudson County Community College Foundation will hold their 27th Annual Gala fundraiser on Thursday evening, December 5, 2024. The 2024 Distinguished Community Service Awards will be presented to Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society at the event. Pictured here the College’s 2024 PTK inductees with HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber (center).

The Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year assists students in attaining their college degrees and enjoying the lifelong benefits and transformative power of higher education. The College serves more at-risk students than any other community college in New Jersey. More than two-thirds of HCCC students, many of whom are underrepresented or first-generation college students, report food and housing insecurity, and even homelessness. The Foundation helps remove barriers to their success through fundraising for scholarships, books, and transportation.

The 2024 Distinguished Community Service Awards will be presented to Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society; Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, PTK President and CEO, will accept. The College’s Beta Alpha Phi Chapter Advisor, HCCC Professor Theodore Lai, will also be honored.

“PTK leadership inspires and transforms the lives of thousands of students, their families and beyond throughout the United States and abroad,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “We are so proud of our HCCC Beta Alpha Phi Chapter of PTK. Under Professor Lai’s dedicated and caring mentorship of students for nearly three decades, our Chapter has served over 7,000 students who committed to academic success, service and leadership, and who are successful and making a profound impact in their lives, careers, and communities.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the official honor society for two-year colleges, recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) since 1929. Founded in 1918, PTK celebrates academic achievement and fosters personal growth, leadership, and service among community and technical college students. With nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 nations and over 4.3 million students inducted, PTK provides a transformative experience, connecting its 230,000 active members to opportunities for scholarships, leadership development, and success beyond the classroom. By offering access to exclusive resources and a supportive community, PTK empowers students to excel academically and reach their full potential.

Professor Lai has led the College’s Beta Alpha Phi Chapter of PTK since 1996 and is revered for his tireless work mentoring honor society students, leading the local chapter to earn the Honors in Action and three Top 100 PTK Chapter awards. Professor Lai has received ten PTK awards: five Continued Excellence Awards for Advisors, four Distinguished Advisor Awards, and the Paragon Award for New Advisors. He also organizes student volunteer projects and events with Friends of Liberty State Park, Bike MS, MuckFest MS, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, MS, Garden State Episcopal Community Development food pantry and homeless memorial, New York City Triathlon, City Challenge, Sharkfest, and more.

Founded in 1997, the HCCC Foundation has awarded more than 2,000 scholarships totaling nearly $4 million to deserving students. The Foundation continues to make a profound impact, awarding over $300,000 in scholarships in 2024. Currently, the Foundation Endowment stands at $1,925,021 and has grown more than 18% since it was initiated in 2022, positioning the Foundation to generously and continuously support scholarships.

Several 27th Annual Gala donor opportunities are available: Individual Dinner Ticket, $500; Partial Scholarship, $2,400; Scholarship Sponsor, $4,000; Full Scholarship, $4,800; Community Sponsor $6,000; Ambassador of the Arts Sponsor, $10,000; and Jade Anniversary Sponsor, $20,000. More information and payment links can be found online at https://www.hccc.edu/community/foundation/events/gala.html.