"An Evening with Dave Eggers" was hosted by The Webb, on September 12, 2000. With the help of the special events committee (Alice Benitez, Baba Brooks, Joy Johnson, Wendy Kelly, Alice Norton, and Beth Sundberg) this was the most successful special event in Webb-Waring's 76 year history. The Webb's Chairman, Amy Slothower was instrumental in bringing Dave Eggers to Denver, after she read A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, a book based on the death of his parents from un-related cancers.

Nearly 200 people gathered in the garden of one of the Board of Trustee's home and enjoyed cocktails and hors d'ouevres, followed by an energizing and interactive talk and a booksigning by Mr. Eggers. The talented 29 year old, committed young author pledged a staggering $100,000 to the Institute. The evening was the culmination of a two- day visit by Mr. Eggers, where he was able to tour the Institute and meet the scientists and the director, Dr. John Repine. The Board of Trustees, the scientists, and the staff are grateful to Mr. Eggers and The Webb for this most special evening.

Following Dave's visit to Denver, he was challenged with the task of adding an addendum to A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius for its paperback release. In February 2001, this paperback version was released and we are thrilled to note that Mr. Eggers commented about his visit to Webb-Waring (on pages 43 and 44) and about the "blue-sky research" that we are conducting here.