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Maryland Science Center’s 47th Annual Solstice Gala
June 22, 2024
8–11:59 p.m.
Maryland Science Center
The Maryland Science Center welcomed some 500 guests to celebrate the start of the season with what could—quite literally—be described as a hot summer shindig. Temperatures outside hovered in the 90s, while the atmosphere inside offered air-conditioned spaces but with a hot, jazzy vibe. There were buffets and bars to browse, science experiments to observe or participate in, and live performances to groove to. The gala garnered some $220,000 to underwrite the Science Center’s free admission policy for student field trips.
Left to right: Mark J. Potter, Maryland Science Center president/CEO; Lori Blau, Maryland Science Center senior director of operations; Mark Blau, Thos. Somerville corporate training manager
Left to right: Abigail Gutstein, Stenley Black & Decker vice president of supply chain; Katherine Zimmerly, Maryland State Retirement Agency communications director; Mark Zimmerly, Transamerica practice leader/Maryland Science Center board chair; Cheri Green, T. Rowe Price senior recruiter
Left to right: Dr. Kyle Hagerty, Excelsia Injury Care chiropractor; Janet Barnes, psychiatric nurse
Left to right: Chris Pagán, INNOVIM systems engineer; Peina Canales-Pagán, Gross, Mendelsohn & Associates learning and development manager; Mary Ladelokun, Gross, Mendelsohn & Associates senior audit associate; Kevin Whitley, Gross, Mendelsohn & Associates associate II
Left to right: Nikos Pavlidis, Becton Dickinson Diagnostic Solutions president; Nely Kostopoulou, freeland content creator; Dr. Penny Silverman, University of Maryland obstetrician gynecologist; Dr. Ron Silverman, University of Maryland plastic surgeon/Becton Dickinson chief medical officer
No, Ashley Fischer, Katie Chipungu, and Rashonda Harris (pictured left to right), did not coordinate their party dresses to fit a neon theme. But, maybe the fact that they each chose a vivid color shows one thing they have in common as friends.
Fisher, a federal contractor, says she chose her Normal Kamali neon chartreuse goddess dress because it was both bright and stretchy—a good fit for an hours-long party.
Harris, the director of a nonprofit, said she had been obsessed with her hot pink Jacquemus number for years and finally nabbed it on sale.
Chipungu, a Virginia clinical psychologist, loved the neoprene fabric of her ASOS frock because it was forgiving.
“I just like really bright colors, the brighter the better,” she said, as her friends nodded in agreement.
Left to right: Sherry Howard, Johns Hopkins Health Plans senior business analyst; Melvin Howard, Coppin State University Office of Institutional Advancement business manager; Charles Dockins, educator/songwriter; Len Dockins, Kouture Enterprises real estate developer
Left to right: Carissa Pray, Under Armour brand team digital designer; Alex Prokopik, AirBoss Defense Group lead product engineer; Mitchell Link, Atrium senior manager; Lexi McClain, Deloitte healthcare consultant
Left to right: Michael Verill, FIS securities operations manager; Michael Dunty, Office of Baltimore City State’s Attorney lawyer
Left to right: Alex Williams, Johns Hopkins University doctoral student; Luke Newton, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory engineer; Avi Goldman, Customer.io email platform director; Jannett Wehle, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory electrical engineer
Left to right: Lisa Nguyen, Medtronic congenital heart valve therapist; Bethany Barkley, Global Refuge business development officer; Kendra Hernandez, Global Refuge corporate giving specialist; Shelly Talcott, Global Refuge chief of staff
