The Stritch Showcase fundraiser dinner was held on Oct. 9, highlighted by
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett declaring Oct. 9,
2012, “Cardinal Stritch University Day” in the state of Wisconsin and the city
of Milwaukee.
The event, which has been held
annually since 2008, was attended by more than 250 guests, who enjoyed a
reception, silent auction and wine pull, and dinner. The evening’s program
focused on Stritch’s past, present, and future, with the intention of raising
money to help support the University’s scholarship fund.
Tim Sheehy, president of the
Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, was presented with the University’s
Community Builder Award for his significant and ongoing work in support of
education in Milwaukee.
Sheehy chairs the American
Chamber of Commerce Executives, the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation,
TechStar Holding Inc., and Rocketship Charter School. He serves on the boards
of Milwaukee College Preparatory, the Milwaukee Partnership Academy, Partners
Advancing Values in Education (PAVE), Wisconsin Policy Research Institute,
Schools That Can Milwaukee, Milwaukee Charter School Advocates, Milwaukee Succeeds,
School Choice Wisconsin, Teach for America, and as the treasurer of Summerfest.
Other highlights of the evening included
remarks by Sister Margaret Ruddy, OSF, University archivist, who provided
perspective on Stritch’s growth since its founding in 1937 by the Sisters of
St. Francis of Assisi; Stephanie Coker, ’14, president of the Student
Government Association; and Portia Mosley, the grandmother of a boy who has
benefitted from the services provided by Stritch’s Literacy Centers.
$100,000 was raised thanks to the
generosity of attendees, sponsors, and underwriters (see below), with net
proceeds supporting the University’s scholarship fund.
“Our ability to impact students’ lives
depends on the shared commitment of the people who join us not only for this
wonderful event, but throughout the year,” said Stritch President Dr. James
Loftus. “I’m incredibly grateful for their generosity and partnership, and I
relish being able to celebrate our many successes with them.”
Event
chairs Anita and Al Costigan and Martha and Mark Flaherty welcomed community
members and friends of the University. Al Costigan, retired CEO of Level Valley
Creamery, is a longtime Stritch trustee, and Anita is a former elementary educator. Mark Flaherty is owner/partner in Jackson
Street Holdings, which develops hotels, and Martha owns a
small design company, Les Indiennes Boheme. Irene
Loftus, the president’s wife, also served on the planning committee.
“I truly
believe it is the Franciscan tradition and values that set Stritch apart,” said
Martha Flaherty, ’78 ’90. “When Stritch’s faculty, staff, alumni, and friends
are able to come together amid this inconspicuous yet courageous Franciscan
‘aura,’ we’re able to help ensure that it seeps into each student’s experience
and quietly and beautifully transforms them.”
Special thanks to the 2012 Stritch Showcase
sponsors and underwriters:
75th
Anniversary Commemorative Sponsorship
Martha ’78 ‘90 & Mark
Flaherty
The Kelben Foundation
Contributing
Sponsorship
BMO Harris Bank
The Costigan Family Foundation
Carol and Dave Hawke
Event
Sponsorship and Underwriting
Anchor Moving
Catholic Financial Life
Deloitte
Felician Services Inc.
Foley & Lardner
Gialamas Company
JP Cullen & Sons
William Maslowski
Messmer High School
MK Lanmark, LLC
Irene and Dr. James Loftus
MMAC
Mary ‘79 and Scott McFadden ‘81
Northwestern Mutual
Reinhart Boerner Van Dueren
Robert W. Baird & Co.
Sigma Financial Corp.
Sodexo
Lisa ’87 ’90 and Souheil Badran ’88 ‘97
Synergis Education
Total Cleaning
Town Bank
WE Energies Foundation
Mary Ann and Art Wichgers
Wisconsin Policy Institute