Celebrating Two Decades of Impact: SUA’s 20th Peace Gala Rallies Support for Future Global Leaders

November 13, 2024

• Peace Gala
• Campus News

This year's Peace Gala marked a powerful milestone, capping two decades of fundraising to support scholarships for future global leaders.

Reflecting on the event's significance, SUA President Edward M. Feasel noted, "This is especially meaningful as this is the first gala to be held after the passing of our university founder Daisaku Ikeda last November 15."

In honor of Ikeda's legacy in peace, culture, and education, the evening celebrated SUA's mission of educating new generations of compassionate, courageous, and wise global leaders. The 440 guests who attended "Celebrating a Vision of Peace" on Oct. 12 embraced this profound purpose, raising nearly $1.5 million to ensure that students can experience SUA's transformative education regardless of their financial circumstances.

Setting the tone for the evening, Master of Ceremonies Gene Kang, an Emmy award-winning journalist with KTLA 5 News in Los Angeles, thanked everyone in the audience for coming together on a 20-year journey to support young people who are driven by passion and purposeful living. "They've chosen Soka University of America to help shape their roles as global citizens," said Kang.

The event included silent and live auctions featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences. A dynamic commemorative program highlighted two decades of contribution, including a rousing performance by singer, songwriter, and actor Tia Simone.

President Feasel expanded on the stories of collective impact woven throughout the program, inviting the audience to witness the tangible effect of their support over the last year. He demonstrated how donors' contributions fund new opportunities and programming that directly benefit Soka students.

"I have the privileged opportunity to see the amazing work and accomplishments of our alumni and to see the generous spirit and sincere expectations that you, our precious donors, have for our students," said Feasel. "This culture of mutual care among our students, alumni, and donors is fostering leaders who create concrete change all over the world."

Nandini Puri '14 Inspires Gala with Stories of Purpose and Perseverance

The gala highlighted this culture of care through the moving testimony of Nandini Puri '14, who shared her experience as a Soka alumna. Originally from Pune, India, Puri faced severe challenges in her youth, including a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that left her paralyzed from the neck down at age 7.

After arriving at SUA, she struggled with homesickness and a difficult transition to life in a new country. The culture of support at SUA, however, played a decisive role in helping Puri find her footing and flourish. "Despite my best efforts to remain isolated, the warm heart of the Soka community began enveloping my everyday life," she recalled, adding that friendships with her peers and encouragement from her professors gradually made SUA feel like home.

Her experiences as a student shaped her path profoundly, instilling principles and perspectives that endured beyond her college years. Puri shared how studying at SUA deepened her understanding of the interconnectedness of life on Earth. This insight inspired her and her husband, Andrew, to launch Beej Farms, a public benefit corporation focused on sustainable and fair-trade practices in the food industry.

"The courage to pursue this goal would not have been possible without the tenacious guidance I received during my four years at SUA," she said, crediting her Soka education as foundational to their business's values-driven approach.

With a commitment to environmentally conscious packaging and fair compensation for farmers, Beej Farms exemplifies the principles of global citizenship Puri cherishes as an alumna. Reflecting on their entrepreneurial journey, she expressed deep gratitude to SUA donors, whose support made both her education and success as an entrepreneur possible.

"Beej Farms and the work that we do every day to impact farmers' lives is a direct product of the investment made by SUA donors like each one of you," she concluded, underscoring the lasting impact of SUA in her life and work.