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2009 Irish Gala
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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 2009-2010 events:

Mardi Gras Gala

Golf Tournament

Irish Gala

Fashion Show

Recap of 2008-2009 Events:

 
Mardi Gras Gala
More than 300 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 Oct. 23 at the Houstonian Hotel. Revelers were on hand to pay tribute to this year’s honorees, Colleen and George McCullough, a former vice president of Exxon Corporation. Longtime friends and benefactors of the University, Gayle and Bob Longmire, chaired the Gala. Bob is a former president and CEO of Esso Sekiyu K.K., then Exxon’s principal Japanese affiliate.

The event was highly successful, raising more than $166,000 for the Center’s study abroad funding and academic programs. The study abroad portion of the live auction raised nearly $31,500 for scholarships for UST students to study in Ireland and Northern Ireland, a figure that included a $15,000 anonymous donation match. A highlight of the live auction was a one-of-a-kind trip for two to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada that included accommodations, tickets to at least three Olympic events and dinner with Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, former UST president.

Special guests included The Honorable Martin Rouine, Consul General of Ireland, and his wife, Mary, and The Honorable Paul Lynch, British Consul General, his wife, Yoko, as well as his parents and many members of his family from Ireland and England. Additionally, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza and Bishop Vincent M. Rizzotto were present.   Read More

 
UST Golf Tournament Raises $222,000 for Scholarships
Pictured are Joe Cleary and University President Robert R. IvanyUniversity of St. Thomas friends and alumni took to the fairways Monday, Sept. 28, to support the UST Scholarship Tee-Up Tournament. The successful event held at Kingwood Country Club grossed more than $222,000 for the Fr. Francis E. Monaghan Scholarship Fund. 

Joe Cleary, Executive Vice President of Harvey Builders, was the tournament chair. Event underwriters were Bank of America, Sterling Bank, Harvey Builders, BP and Marathon Oil Company. 

The tournament featured a raffle, silent auction, and live auction which included a trip to the 2010 Masters Tournament, a trip to the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, and a River Oaks Country Club golf package. 

UST established the Monaghan Scholarship Fund to help deserving students get a quality, liberal arts faith-based education. Since 2000, the fund has awarded more than $9 million in scholarships and grants. 

John Marion Carrabba ’80, owner of Piatto Ristorante donated the post-golf dinner. 

Pictured are Joe Cleary and University President Robert R. Ivany

 
Irish Gala Raises Monies for Center for Irish Studies Programs
Irish Gala 2008More 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.
 
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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