Thanks to the generosity of our CEF community, this year’s Gaudeamus benefit gala was a great success, raising more than $2.4 million towards tuition-assistance scholarships for at-risk students.
Held on Saturday, October 29th, the 2022 Gaudeamus gala celebrated CEF’s 25 years of support for Catholic education. The organization’s founders, Blake Mulvany, Tom Zarda, Rich Henry, Archbishop James P. Keleher, Sr. Vickie Perkins, and Leonard and Ellen McKinzie were honored with the inaugural CEF Lifetime Achievement Award. And St. Gregory the Great Catholic School in Marysville, Kansas was recognized as CEF's 2022 Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann School of Excellence award winners.
Bishop Ward High School students joined CEF Board Chair Jeff Jaworski in presenting founders Rich Henry and Tom Zarda with the CEF Lifetime Achievement Award.
During the event, gala attendees met two CEF scholarship recipients - Vicki, a senior at Hayden Catholic High School in Topeka and Juan, a recent graduate of Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas. Both received CEF scholarships in grade school through high school and both came from single-family households, living at or below the poverty level.
"It's like this weight just came off of you and you're thinking, 'My kids are gonna have a faith-filled education because I was able to receive this scholarship.' Thank you for the opportunities you have given my children.” - Dora Sandoval
Special thanks to this year's Gaudeamus event co-chairs Jake and Ashley Rieke and Kyle and Nicole Hill along with the entire Gaudeamus committee for their hard work throughout the year to make the gala possible.
View our 2022 Gaudeamus photo album
See more videos and highlights from this year’s Gaudeamus gala at cefgala.org
Support Scholarships for Students in Need
Couldn't attend this year’s Gaudeamus? There's still time to make a meaningful impact with a gift to our Gaudeamus Sponsor-A-Child program. All gifts made will be matched, and 100% of your donation will be used for scholarships for students in need. Donate at cefgala.org/give today!
