The Troops to College program got a boost of funding from the 4th annual Green and Gold Gala, where Sacramento State’s veterans, administration, students, and other guests honored Carol Channing with an award for her contribution to the community.

Channing, a three-time Tony award winning singer and actress, and her husband Harold Kullijian spoke to the audience about how arts must be brought back in public schools because it inspires students in reading, writing, and arithmetic.

“Art is the catalyst for all education and we have to start when children are little,” Kullijian said.

They established a Scholarship for Sacramento State’s performing arts students called the Dr. Carol Channing and Harry Kullijian Endowment for Arts Education.

Jeffery Mason, College of Arts and Letters Dean, said that Channing is someone the university values tremendously because she has a terrific personality.

“She has become a very durable figure in the theatre world because of her generosity and her spirit and her wonderful attitude towards the value of the arts,” Mason said.

The Green and Gold Gala sold out 390 tickets with the proceeds going to the Troops to College program.

The Troops to College program was created to provide scholarships and enhance support services to help veterans return home to civilian life and obtain a college education, but the state provided no funding for the program when it was created in 2006.

Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez, and George Crandell, the University Foundation Chair, made a goal to raise $100,000 to finance Troops to College.

Gonzalez said that the university has raised $75,000 so far.

“Now that we have a focus tonight on the troops, I think it’s going to be even more helpful to have her here and ask people to support our returning veterans,” Gonzalez said.

Jeff Weston, veteran’s affair coordinator, said that the foundation made a $25,000 donation to jump start the program.

“The money (from the Gala) will help troops to college directly in the form of veteran scholarships and building of the veterans program,” Weston said.

The Gala event had live performances by The Bucket Boys. Felix Barba, university affairs vice president, gave a salsa and cha cha dance lesson to people on the dance floor.

News 10’s Cristina Mendonsa and KFBK’s Kitty O’Neal, both Sac State alumnae, emceed the event.

Jessica Beavers, an alumna, said that Carol Channing’s speech was “extremely empowering.”

Bianca Aranda, also an alumna, said that Channing’s speech was phenomenal.

“It makes you feel hopeful,” Aranda said.

Catherine Robledo can be reached at [email protected].