Ball Gowns and Bocelli: UST Celebrates Cardinal DiNardo and Raises More Than $1.8M for Student Scholarships
+8Ball Gowns and Bocelli: UST Celebrates Cardinal DiNardo and Raises More Than $1.8M for Student Scholarships
Ball Gowns and Bocelli: UST Celebrates Cardinal DiNardo and Raises More Than $1.8M for Student Scholarships
Ball Gowns and Bocelli: UST Celebrates Cardinal DiNardo and Raises More Than $1.8M for Student Scholarships
Ball Gowns and Bocelli: UST Celebrates Cardinal DiNardo and Raises More Than $1.8M for Student Scholarships
Ball Gowns and Bocelli: UST Celebrates Cardinal DiNardo and Raises More Than $1.8M for Student Scholarships
Ball Gowns and Bocelli: UST Celebrates Cardinal DiNardo and Raises More Than $1.8M for Student Scholarships
Ball Gowns and Bocelli: UST Celebrates Cardinal DiNardo and Raises More Than $1.8M for Student Scholarships
Ball Gowns and Bocelli: UST Celebrates Cardinal DiNardo and Raises More Than $1.8M for Student Scholarships
Ball Gowns and Bocelli: UST Celebrates Cardinal DiNardo and Raises More Than $1.8M for Student Scholarships
Ball Gowns and Bocelli: UST Celebrates Cardinal DiNardo and Raises More Than $1.8M for Student Scholarships
Ball Gowns and Bocelli: UST Celebrates Cardinal DiNardo and Raises More Than $1.8M for Student Scholarships
Stunning in black-tie Italian elegance attire, more than 900 guests at the University of St. Thomas-Houston Scholarship Gala filled the magnificent Hilton Americas Ballroom on May 4, for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the 75th birthday of His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo while supporting UST students. When the night was over, the celebration, aptly named “Ad Multos Annos” or “To Many More Years,” had raised more than $1.8M for student scholarships.
After The Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, CSB, Archbishop of Vancouver and former UST President, delivered the invocation, UST President Dr. Richard Ludwick and First Lady Melynda Ludwick took the stage. They celebrated Cardinal DiNardo and recognized scholarship donors, emphasizing the crucial role they play in making a transformative Catholic higher education possible for so many young people. The mood was enthusiastic gratitude at the mention of event Chairs Ginger and John Niemann, who were praised for their roles in a highly successful evening. That evening, Dr. Ludwick also shined a light on how St. Thomas graduates infuse the world with radical goodness as they go on to occupy and redefine leadership roles in every industry.
Reveling in a majestic, Italian-themed ambiance evoked by tables of shimmering silver-and-black and festooned with grand sprays of white roses and towering candelabras, guests were overjoyed by an evening of fine dining (featuring the Cardinal’s favorites), a spirited live auction led by Johnny Bravo, dancing, and the captivating voice of Matteo Bocelli. Before the dinner special guests enjoyed a private meet and greet with the global sensation.
Scholarship Surprise for the Cardinal
At the start of the evening, Dr. Ludwick announced a special birthday surprise for His Eminence. Guests learned that all the funds collected from paddles-up and the live auction would go to establish an annual scholarship in the name of the evening’s honoree. Glowing balloons identified each donor guest with a raised paddle. When the lights went out for the concert, the generosity of the crowd literally lit up the ballroom.
Students Joined the Guests
A number of current UST students peppered the audience, dining with guests at their tables and sharing their stories. Two first-generation students, in video testimonials, described how their St. Thomas Fund scholarships were crucial to earning an authentic and transformative Catholic higher education.
Calvin Nguyen, who earned a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology and an M.A. in Theology, said, “It’s not just about how you walk out of the University with more material in your brain to go out into the world, but how much fuller your heart is for others. How much more dedicated and intentional you will be in any location where you find yourself in the future.”
Going, Going, Sold!
Happy bidders at the live auction departed with coveted acquisitions including an exclusive ranch retreat for two couples at the enchanting Cibolo Creek Ranch nestled in Big Bend country, a dinner evening for 15 with His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Dr. Richard and Melynda Ludwick in the private Positano Room at Amalfi restaurant, and an ultimate “girls night out” package for 15 to the Kacey Musgraves Concert in the fall full of oh-so-fine fashionista perks. Dinner with the Cardinal made for the most exciting bidding war of the evening raising $30,000 for student scholarships.
More Crowd-Pleasing Surprises
No one could have foreseen how swept up Matteo Bocelli would be with the festive atmosphere. The incredibly gifted entertainer engaged with the crowd and at one point, walked into the audience and danced with several lucky guests.
Another unexpected delight was a surprise dessert parade for the Cardinal, with a two-tiered cake adorned with sparklers for candles, and every waiter carried mini cakes for all the guests in the ballroom.
Familiar Faces
Some familiar faces at the unforgettable event included Honorary Chairs Bishop Italo Dell’Oro and Raye White, Annie and Bob Graham, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Denise Castillo-Rhodes and Robert Sergesketter, Isabel and Nacho Torras, Lois and Richard Folger, Craig and Angela Jarchow, and Lois Davis.