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Our Events
Annually two major events are organized benefiting Fr. Francis E. Monaghan Scholarship Fund, The Mardi Gras Gala and Scholarship Tee-Up Tournament. Fr. Monaghan general scholarship fund is the cornerstone of our student financial aid program. Nearly $5 million is awarded in scholarships and grants. The University is committed to providing these students with the religious and ethical values-based education and ensuring it is within reach. Many of these deserving students would be unable to attend the University without financial assistance.
As an annual event the Irish Gala benefits the mission of Center for Irish Studies at University of St. Thomas. All the funds in support of Irish Gala helps support various student, endowment and other related initiatives at the Center.
Our annual Fashion Show supports Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship. This event is also an opportunity for the University to honor and celebrate alumnae from all walks of life who possess concern for the community and the world around them.
Location and contact information for each of our 2008-2009 events:
Mardi Gras Gala
Golf Tournament
Irish Gala
Fashion Show
Recap of 2008-2009 Events: |
Mardi Gras Gala
 Revelers donning masks and beads celebrated on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 24, as the University of St. Thomas hosted its annual Mardi Gras Gala “A Night in Rio” benefitting Fr. Francis E. Monaghan Scholarship Fund. More than 500 guests celebrated UST’s time-honored tradition at the Hilton Americas, as they helped raise $800,000 for the education of current and future students.
Kerri and Downey Bridgwater chaired the event, which honored longtime University friends and benefactors Carol and Odis Peavy, owners of PV Rentals. The Peavys have worked tirelessly to help the University reopen its School of Nursing. They generously donated $2.5 million towards the project. In 2007 the Peavys served as Mardi Gras Chairs. Downey Bridgwater sits on the University’s board of directors.
A live auction featured a dinner with His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and numerous luxury vacation packages including trips to Tuscany, England, France, Brazil, San Miguel de Allende, and Pebble Beach. A silent auction was also part of the festivities.
UST seniors Tom Mendez and Cimela Kidonakis, who won the honor of this year’s student king and queen, greeted attendees and later thanked donors for making a St. Thomas education possible for themselves and others. Read More |
UST Golf Tournament Raises $233,000 for Scholarships
 With clubs in tow, 34 golf teams of University of St. Thomas friends and alumni gathered on the green Monday, Oct. 13 for the UST Scholarship Tee-Up Tournament at BlackHorse Golf Club in Cypress. The successful event grossed more than $230,000 for the Fr. Francis E. Monaghan Scholarship Fund.
Randy E. Velarde, president of The Plaza Group, was the tournament chair. Special thanks were given to event underwriters Bank of America, McDermott International and Sterling Bank
UST established the Monaghan Scholarship Fund to help deserving students get a quality, values-based education. Since 2000, the fund has awarded more than $6.8 million in scholarships and grants.
UST would also like to thank Piatto Ristorante owner John Marion Carrabba ’80 for donating the post-golf dinner, as well as the host site BlackHorse Golf Club.
Pictured are Randy E. Velarde and University President Robert R. Ivany.
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Irish Gala Raises Monies for Center for Irish Studies Programs
 More than 350 guests enjoyed a festive evening of Irish entertainment, luxurious silent and live auction items and a sumptuous seated dinner at the University of St. Thomas Center for Irish Studies Annual Irish Gala held on Nov. 14 at the Houstonian Hotel. Revelers were on hand to pay tribute to this year’s honorees, the Honorary Consul General of Ireland John B. Kane and his wife, Alayne. Chaired by longtime friends and benefactors of the University, Dorothy and Ray LeBlanc, the event was highly successful, raising more than $200,000 for study abroad funding and academic programs. The silent and live auction, chaired by Mills Toomey, raised nearly $80,000 for study abroad to Ireland, a figure that included a $20,000 anonymous donation match.
Special guests included His Excellency Michael Collins, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States of America, and his wife, Marie, and The Honorable Martin Rouine, Consul General of Ireland, and his wife, Mary. William J. Flynn, chairman emeritus of Mutual of America Insurance Company in New York and a behind-the-scenes negotiator in the Northern Ireland Peace Process was another distinguished guest.
The University established the Center for Irish Studies on Jan. 25, 2003, with the support of The Irish Society, a community-based nonprofit, nonsectarian organization. The Center, under the direction of Lori Gallagher, JD, supports the academic program encompassed in the Irish Studies minor in the undergraduate program and the graduate concentration in the Master in Liberal Arts program. Long-term goals include endowment of the Center and an academic chair.
In partnership with the University’s Study Abroad Program, the Center sponsors programs for study aboard in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Center awards qualified students with scholarships and offers other financial assistance to enhance the educational and cultural experience.
The Center and The Irish Society co-sponsor lectures and cultural events related to the history, literary tradition and culture of Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as the Irish-American experience. For more information on the Center for Irish Studies visit http://www.stthom.edu/irishstudies. Shown above: 2008 Annual Irish Gala honorees the Honorary Consul General of Ireland John B. Kane and his wife, Alayne, with gala chairs Dorothy and Ray LeBlanc.
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Fashion Show Raises More Than $65,000 For Scholarships
 A crowd of 340 University of St. Thomas alumni and friends watched as the hottest fall fashions ignited the runway at the Fall Fashion Event and Luncheon held Oct. 23 at the River Oaks Country Club. The event, hosted by the University of St. Thomas and chaired by sisters and UST alumni Julie Sacco ‘96/’98 and Kathryn Sacco Smith ‘93, raised more than $65,000 for the University of St. Thomas Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship fund.
During the event, alumnae Lucía Cordúa ‘85, Lauri Vallone ‘93 and Betty Fischer ‘52/’91 were honored for their volunteerism at the University and in the community. Neiman Marcus-Galleria provided the clothing and models. Upon arrival, guests were treated to cosmetic touchups by Sisley Cosmetics.
Guests at the fashion show included the Cordúa family including Michael and son David, alumna Kelli Kickerillo with her parents Mary and Vince Kickerillo, Cora Sue Mach, Carol Peavy and Kathy Peavy Bailey, Gloria Portela, Donna and Tony Vallone and the Vallone family, Trini Mendenhall Sosa and Raye White.
Pictured left to right are Julie Sacco, Lauri Vallone, Betty Fischer, Lucía Cordúa and Kathryn Sacco Smith.
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