The 2021 Gaudeamus benefit gala was a grand celebration of education, faith, and community, bringing together nearly 1,000 guests and raising more than $2.4 million towards tuition-assistance scholarships for economically disadvantaged students in northeast Kansas.
The gala was hosted live and in-person at the Overland Park Convention Center on Saturday, October 23rd. The evening included a celebration of this year's Angels Among Us award recipients - Catholic school teachers across the Archdiocese - who superintendent Dr. Vince Cascone referred to as the true heroes of this past year for "bravely facing the pandemic to provide in-person learning all year long."
The gala also recognized St. Patrick Catholic School in Kansas City, Kansas as CEF's 2021 Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann School of Excellence award winners. Special thanks to this year's Gaudeamus event chairs Andy and Steph Eilert along with the entire Gaudeamus committee for their hard work throughout the year to make the gala possible.
Read The Leaven's feature story on the 2021 Gaudeamus gala!
Superintendent Dr. Vince Cascone presents the Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann CEF School of Excellence award to St. Patrick Catholic School principal Tim Conrad and pastor Fr. Mark Mertes.
“I’m not interested in running an elite private school system - elite in the sense of being financially out of reach for many people. You help us to be able to compensate our teachers as well as make Catholic schools available to everyone financially.”
- Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann to guests at the 2021 Gaudeamus benefit gala
Couldn't attend? There's still time to make a meaningful impact with a gift to CEF's Sponsor-a-Child program. All gifts made will be matched, and 100% of your gift will go straight to scholarships for low-income students.
Check out a few highlights and videos from this year’s benefit gala below!
Meet the Cunningham Family, CEF Scholarship Recipients
“It’s people like me who went through a tough time and didn’t know what else they were going to do, who want to keep their kids in a private school and have that Catholic education. The scholarships changed our life.”
Our Teachers, Our Heroes
In celebration of their heroic impact during the 2020-’21 school year, we sat down with Catholic school teachers across the Archdiocese, this year's Angels Among Us award recipients, to hear their perspective on this vocation that’s so vital to the CEF mission.
"I want to thank each of you and the Catholic Education Foundation for the opportunity to reach my educational goals. I know that it is God's will for CEF to help families just like mine in the future."
- Student speaker Matthew DeHaro, CEF scholarship recipient & Bishop Ward High School senior
The student choir from Christ the King Catholic School in Kansas City, Kansas performed for guests during the program.
The drumline from Mater Dei Catholic School in Topeka welcomed guests into the ballroom to kick off the celebration.
Save the Date for Gaudeamus '22!
Mark your calendar for the 2022 Gaudeamus benefit gala on Saturday, October 29th, 2022 at the Overland Park Convention Center. Plan to join us as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Catholic Education Foundation! Sign up here to be among the first to know as details are released.
