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2016 DRAFT DAY GALA

At The Union League of Philadelphia

April 28, 2016

500 plus Philadelphians gathered at the Union League for a spectacular affair produced by Nick Stuccio of Philly Fringe and David Devan of the Philly Opera. The Germination Project inducted 20 of the best and brightest students from the area in an NFL/NBA style draft and the inaugural ICON Award was presented to Dr. Jean Bennett and Dr. Albert Maguire of Penn Medicine for their trailblazing research in developing treatments for juvenile genetic blindness. Performances by KeyStone Boys’ Choir, Opera Philadelphia, rapper Spank Rock, the horn section of Red40 and Pope Francis serenader Bobby Hill.

2016 Fellows with Matt O'Donnell
ACTION: 2016 Fellows with 6abc Anchor and Draft Day Keynote Speaker, Matt O’Donnell
2015 Fellows
2015 GP Fellows snap a picture before the show.
Fellows from Central High School
2016 Fellows from Central High School before the draft.
Fellows from Masterman School
Sharing the limelight: 2015 & 2016 Fellows from the Masterman School.
Fellows from Haverford
Squad: 2016 Fellows from Haverford show off their new threads alongside mentors from the 2015 class.
Draft Day Prep
Draft Day prep in the green room at the Union League of Philadelphia.
Fellows Strike a Pose
Fellows from the 2016 class strike a pose before the draft.
Pennsylvania Girlchoir and Keystone State Boychoir
Sing it. Pennsylvania Girlchoir and Keystone State Boychoir serenade Draft Day attendees.
2nd Annual Draft
Full house for the Second Annual Draft Day Gala at the Union League.
Red40 Horn Section
The Horn section of Red40 alerts the crowd that the program has begun.
Keynote Speaker, Matt O'Donnell
6abc anchor and Philly native, Matt O’Donnell delivers his keynote remarks.
Dr. J. Larry Jameson of Penn Medicine
At the podium: 2016 Draft Day Gala Chair, Dr. J. Larry Jameson of Penn Medicine.
Opera Philadelphia
A toast to the evening! Pop-up performance by Opera Philadelphia.
Rapper Spank Rock
On the mic: Rapper Spank Rock brings his lyrical genius to the balcony of Lincoln Hall.
Spank Rock pt II
On the mic Part II: Rapper Spank Rock brings his lyrical genius to the balcony of Lincoln Hall.
Nick Stuccio and David Devan
Draft Day Producers Nick Stuccio of Philly Fringe & David Devan of Opera Philadelphia.
Bobby Hill Singing
Pope Francis serenader Bobby Hill caps the evening off with his rendition of ‘What a Wonderful World’.
Inaugural ICON Award Honorees
Inaugural ICON Award Honorees: Jean Bennett, MD, PhD and Albert M. Maguire, MD of Penn Medicine.
Connor Barwin and Bobby Hill
Philadelphia Eagle, Connor Barwin skipped the first round of the NFL draft to celebrate with the Germination Project.
Connor Barwin and 2016 Fellows
Connor Bawin with 2016 Fellows, Will Henderson and Matthew Tucker.

Check out our Facebook page for more photos of the 2016 Draft Day Gala.

2016 Gala Chair

  • J. Larry Jameson, M.D., Ph.D.

Executive Vice President, University of Pennsylvania for the Health System

Dean, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

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