The University’s annual event was a lesson in achievement. It’s not often that a 100th birthday comes along, which is why for Rosalind Franklin University’s Centennial Gala, more than 600 people turned out to help blow out the candles at Chicago’s InterContinental hotel ballroom (505 N. Michigan). The University, esteemed for their support of women and ethnic minorities in education awarded the Rosalind Franklin PhD Life in Discovery Award to three women that evening: Rear Adm. and global health leader Susan J. Blumenthal, chairman of the Rosalind Franklin board Ruth M. Rothstein and Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were vital in developing the Salk polio vaccine. Over the past century, Rosalind Franklin has grown to include five colleges and 2,000 students. Here’s to another century of innovation. PHOTOS BY TRAVIS SCHOENING AND STEPHANIE STRAUSS FOR THE SUN-TIMES Story by Katerina Bizios | Photos by Travis Schoening and Stephanie Strauss for the Sun-Times

The University’s annual event was a lesson in achievement.

It’s not often that a 100th birthday comes along, which is why for Rosalind Franklin University’s Centennial Gala, more than 600 people turned out to help blow out the candles at Chicago’s InterContinental hotel ballroom (505 N. Michigan). The University, esteemed for their support of women and ethnic minorities in education awarded the Rosalind Franklin PhD Life in Discovery Award to three women that evening: Rear Adm. and global health leader Susan J. Blumenthal, chairman of the Rosalind Franklin board Ruth M. Rothstein and Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were vital in developing the Salk polio vaccine. Over the past century, Rosalind Franklin has grown to include five colleges and 2,000 students. Here’s to another century of innovation.

PHOTOS BY TRAVIS SCHOENING AND STEPHANIE STRAUSS FOR THE SUN-TIMES

Story by Katerina Bizios | Photos by Travis Schoening and Stephanie Strauss for the Sun-Times