SHU Commits to Scholarships with $150 Million Campaign
University also celebrates 60th anniversary, honors friends and supporters at gala
Sacred Heart University recently hosted its biggest fundraising event of the year, where it announced its commitment to student scholarships with the launch of its largest campaign ever, set on raising $150 million.
More than 400 guests attended the Pioneer Scholarship Gala, formerly the Discovery Gala, at the new Martire Family Arena. The event acknowledged increased philanthropic resources for SHU’s scholarship programs and honored University friends Linda McMahon, a SHU Board of Trustees member, and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company. The gala also served as the official kickoff to SHU’s 60th-anniversary celebrations.
The state-of-the-art arena was transformed into a magical, elegant banquet space. The ice rink was covered, and guests sat at white, cloth-covered tables amid decorated trees while enjoying dinner and speeches from students and honorees. Music and dancing rounded out the evening.
One event highlight occurred when John Vazquez, MBA ’93, SHU’s Board of Trustees chair, announced the University’s most comprehensive fundraising campaign, Now We Lead. Applause followed news that SHU has already raised $90 million toward its $150 million goal.
“With this campaign, we are dreaming big,” Vazquez said. “With the community’s partnership, we’ll be able to provide more student scholarships at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to ensure students who deserve a SHU education receive one. Together, we can raise our sights and ambitions to even better serve our students, community and our world.
Scholarship recipients DeAndre Byrd ’22 and Malik Grant ’23 shared heartfelt thanks for the impact SHU has had on their lives. They spoke about their SHU experiences and their gratitude for the scholarships they received.
SHU presented McMahon and Paul Lemmo, Sikorsky president, with the Pioneer Scholarship Gala Award for their dedication and commitment to serving others. McMahon, former president and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, former administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and current chair of the nonprofit research organization America First Policy Institute, is a longtime and generous University supporter. Sikorsky received its honor for 100 years of passion for innovation.
Marking a milestone
March marked 60 years since SHU was incorporated, and the gala was one of many events planned to celebrate the anniversary. The Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, second bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, founded Sacred Heart University in 1963 to provide an institution of higher education that would serve the people of the diocese and region, regardless of sex, race or religion.
“We were thrilled to celebrate student scholarships, honor our special guests with the Pioneer Scholarship Gala Award and ring in 60 years of SHU at the new Martire Family Arena,” said Paul J. Sutera, senior vice president of University advancement. “It was a special time—a great day to be a Pioneer!”
To view all photos from the event, visit the 2023 Pioneer Scholarship Gala gallery on Photoshelter.