Reach for the Stars at 2016 Dinner in the Library

DIL Image

Posted On: April 20, 2016

The UC San Diego Library’s popular Dinner in the Library (DiL) gala will take place on Friday, September 9, 2016, in the iconic Geisel Library. While the event is now in its 13th year, this year’s “DiL” promises to be anything but unlucky, given the fabulous speaker we’ve attracted this year: NPR’s Ari Shapiro! Ari wears a variety of journalistic hats, but he’s known primarily as the co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered radio program. We are also ushering in a new tradition with this year’s event, with a new Honorary Committee, chaired by prominent local author and longtime Dinner in the Library supporter, Jeanne Jones.

The Dinner in the Library Honorary Committee includes a stellar round-up of San Diegans who share a commitment to the university and the Library. Members include: Rita L. and Richard C. Atkinson; Mary Ann Beyster; Linden and Ronne Blue; Joye D. Blount and Jessie J. Knight, Jr.; Donald Breitenberg; Jessica Cline; Phyllis and Daniel J. Epstein; Theresa and Standish Fleming; Alison and George Gildred; Jane and Edgar Gillenwaters; Jeanne and Gary Herberger; Reena and Sam Horowitz; Margret and Nevins McBride; Sandra Redman and Jeff Mueller; Zandra Rhodes and Salah Hassanein; and Dixie and Ken Unruh.

Guests will join members of the honorary committee and University Librarian Brian Schottlaender in celebrating the theme “Reach for the Stars,” with proceeds supporting the UC San Diego Library’s collections, services, and learning spaces. In addition to the very knowledgable and entertaining Ari Shapiro, festivities will include fabulous food, cocktails, and stimulating conversation all while dining in the iconic Geisel Library. Ari Shapiro, who joined NPR as a correspondent in 2001, became co-host of All Things Considered—the most listened-to afternoon drive-time news radio program in the U.S.—in 2015. Prior to that, he was NPR’s International Correspondent based in London, where he traveled the world, covering a wide range of topics, including wars in Iraq, Ukraine, and Israel for NPR’s national news programs.

“We are thrilled to have Ari Shapiro as our keynote speaker,” said Schottlaender. “He is a dynamic and engaging storyteller and his insights into politics should make for a very engaging talk this year.”

Ari Shapiro, co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered
Ari Shapiro, co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered

Shapiro is also a frequent guest analyst on various television news programs providing commentary on a broad range of issues. He has consistently received kudos and recognition for his reporting, and was honored by the Columbia Journalism Review for his investigation into disability benefits for injured American veterans. In addition, the American Bar Association awarded him the Silver Gavel for exposing the failures of Louisiana’s detention system after Hurricane Katrina, and he was the first recipient of the American Judges’ Association American Gavel Award for his work on U.S. courts and the American justice system. An occasional singer, Shapiro makes guest appearances with the Pink Martini band and has performed live at many of the world’s most storied venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York, L’Olympia in Paris, and Mount Lycabettus in Athens.

You will be hearing more about Ari Shapiro and this year’s “DiL” in the coming months.

Tickets for Dinner in the Library are available for $250 per person or $2,000 per table. The Library is also offering sponsorship opportunities at various levels. Sponsors receive recognition in the event invitation, online, and during the event, and are also noted in publicity. For further information about sponsorships, please contact Julie Sully at jsully@ucsd.edu or 858-822-4554. For general inquiries, visit library.ucsd.edu/give/dinner or contact Taylor Haglund at tmhaglund@ucsd.edu or 858-534-7021.