Dinner & Live Auction
Union League Club of Chicago
October 20, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | 65 W. Jackson Blvd.
VIP Reception begins at 5:00 p.m.
Cocktail Attire Required
Dreams Realized
Celebrating 15 Years of Impact
Union League Club of Chicago
Step into an evening of inspiration and transformation as we honor the incredible journeys of Warrior-Scholars who are forging their paths through higher education. These courageous individuals have faced significant barriers transitioning from military service to college, yet their resilience and determination have led to life-changing success.
Join us at the historic Union League Club of Chicago for a memorable night filled with heartfelt moments, uplifting stories, and the opportunity to create lasting change for those who have served our country.
97% of our alumni are more confident they will complete a bachelor’s degree
88% of our alumni have graduated or are on track to earn a bachelor’s degree
91% of our alumni gained the confidence to apply to colleges they previously thought were out of reach
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Become a Sponsor and Help a veteran achieve their dream!
This extraordinary event is your chance to partner with a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of enlisted veterans and active-duty service members through innovative, one-of-a-kind programs. With a variety of sponsorship levels available, we provide tailored benefits and meaningful recognition to showcase your support.
Explore our full list of sponsorship opportunities here, and connect with Jodi Black, Director of Development, to learn more about how you can make an impact.
How Your Donation Impacts Our Community
To date, Warrior-Scholar Project has helped over 2,500 enlisted men and women understand their potential and achieve their academic dreams. We plan to grow our programming over the next five years and help even more of our service members as they learn about themselves as student veterans and establish their post-military identity. We believe it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure they have the knowledge and resources to help them reach their goals.
Executive Event Committee
Steve Berry
J.P. Morgan
Beau Butts
The Greenshoots Foundation
Sidney Covington
AmeriVet Securities
Deanna Cowling
The Holos Lab
Linda Greene
Winston Taylor, LLP
David Hiller
Justin Bernbrock
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Mary Ann Roeser
The Duchossois Family Foundation
Zack Sorman
Esbrook P.C.
Your Support Makes a Difference
Introducing Tristan Kelm
This is what Tristan had to say about his experience at the University of Chicago:
One of the biggest lessons I learned was that I am the owner of my own time. Even when life feels chaotic, I can still find a way to stay on top of my work. Learning better time management and more efficient reading strategies gave me practical tools that I know I’ll use throughout college.
The biggest change I experienced was in my confidence. I went into boot camp feeling excited but nervous, unsure of what to expect in a classroom after being away for so long. By the end of the week, I felt more confident in my abilities, more engaged in class discussions, and genuinely excited about continuing my education.
My experience at Warrior-Scholar Project was intense, challenging, and completely worth it. The program gave me renewed confidence in myself and my academic potential, and it reignited my excitement for college. It was the biggest surprise of my year, and I would encourage any veteran or active-duty service member considering higher education to take advantage of this opportunity.
Introducing Roslyn Grizzard
This is what Roslyn had to say about her Warrior-Scholar Project experience:
Having attended Warrior-Scholar Project twice, first at the University of Chicago for the humanities and STEM academic boot camp in 2022 and then at the University of Southern California for the business academic boot camp in 2023, I saw firsthand how each experience challenged me in new ways. Even though business was completely outside my background, the program gave me the confidence to step into an unfamiliar subject and succeed.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was that making mistakes is simply part of the learning process. I also realized how important it is to use every resource available, whether that’s office hours, labs, or asking questions. I came away understanding that professors are there to support your success, not just evaluate your work.
Warrior-Scholar Project gave me the confidence to pursue new academic opportunities and reinforced that I have the skills and determination to succeed in higher education. Each boot camp built on the last, leaving me better prepared, more self-assured, and excited for the next step in my educational journey.
Parking
Self Parking is available at the garage on the northwest corner of Federal and Van Buren. Special rates are available for guests with tickets that are validated at the Front Desk.
Click here to visit the South Loop Parking Garage website for purchasing parking tickets in advance.
Additional information on parking and fees can be found here.