Xavier Raises Record Funds for Scholarships 

More than 340 parents, alumni, and friends flooded a golden Gotham Hall on April 7 for the annual Celebrate Xavier Scholarship Gala. Gold décor and attire abounded, echoing the event’s theme, “A Golden Opportunity to Benefit the Scholarship Fund.”

In just its sixth year, the Scholarship Gala set fundraising records, raising more than $230,000 for the Xavier Scholarship Fund. Student speaker Leonardo Pereira ’17 stirred the crowd to action before the Fund-a-Student drive as he recalled the impact a Xavier scholarship had on his life. A native of West New York, New Jersey, Pereira excelled on 16th Street and plans to attend the University of Miami.

After his speech, the Fund-a-Student drive raised a record $41,600—financing more than two full scholarships.

“For the sixth consecutive year, the Xavier community has answered the call to raise essential funds for scholarship support,” said Director of Annual Giving Shane Lavin ’03, who coordinated gala efforts. “Parents, alumni, and friends of Xavier came together for another record-breaking year. My thanks in particular to our co-chairs, Frank and Eileen Shashaty P'14, Greg and Vivian Cioffi P'19, Robert and Jennifer Vecchio P'18, Suzanne and John Muller '75, and Kristin and Stephen Winter '04, and the entire Gala Committee, our Gift Gathering Party hosts, and our sponsors, without whom none of this would've been possible."

The Celebrate Xavier Scholarship Gala’s generous sponsors included Maroon and Blue Sponsors Kathleen and Daniel Denihan ’65, PJS Group (led by Paul Scariano ’90 P’19 ’21), and Marisa and Marty Cicco P'19; Knight Sponsors James and Marie Moriarty P’19, Hon. Allen Hurkin-Torres P'19, and CBRE; 16th Street Sponsors Electronic Security and Communications Corporation, Tenny and Lilly Yam P’18, Comarch, Alliant Insurance Services, Satterlee Stephens LLP, Cullen and Dykman LLP, Capital One Bank, and the Xavier Jesuit Community; and Beer Sponsor Tracks Raw Bar & Grill (Bruce Caulfield ’73). Our thanks to all of them for supporting the many golden opportunities provided by a Xavier education.

“As a liturgical color, gold symbolizes joy and celebration,” Eileen Shashaty said. “Upon reflection, let’s celebrate that so many participated in this year’s ‘Golden Opportunity to Benefit the Xavier Scholarship Fund.’”