By Emilia Kozak

ekozak@my.madonna.edu

Madonna University supporters enjoyed live music, delicious food, and four vintages of wine as they mingled in the Ritz Carlton reception hall last month.

The goal for this campaign was $10 million—and the university raised more than $14 million.

“To exceed your monetary goal by over $4 million in these economic times tells you how much love and support there is for Madonna University,” said Livonia Councilman James McCann, who attended the gala event.  “It really shows you how much people care about the university, education, and the community.”

Local and international leaders celebrated the many successes and achievements of the fund-raising stage, which included the presentation of an honorary Doctorate of Humanities to Apostolic Nuncio Peitro Sambi, who serves as envoy between the United States and the Vatican.  Sambi compared Madonna’s work in the academic and local communities to the Star of Bethlehem, serving as a light to lead students to hope and success.   

“Students at this university are in a position to teach others by their example of the dignity of the human person,” he went on to say.  “Madonna University prepares students for a variety of careers. Graduates find themselves on a journey that may be different one from another, yet it is my hope that each student relay that common experience of finding meaning and fulfillment in his or her work because in some way the Madonna graduate will be doing the will of God.” 

To assist students in leading human dignity and Catholic traditions, two endowed chairs were announced at the gala event.

According to the university Web site, “The Chair for Catholic Studies, in honor of Bishop John Quinn, is designed to focus attention on critical issues of faith in the contemporary times.  The goal is to reach out to scholars who will enrich campus with discourse on Catholic identity and responsibility.”

The Chair for Human Dignity and Caring, in honor of Madonna’s late president Sr. Mary Francilene, will support a faculty member who advocates the Franciscan values of peace, respect, justice, and reverence for creation. 

Cardinal Adam Maida was pleased by the announcement of the endowed chairs and what they represent to the greater public. 

“I think it’s a sign of great life and great hope,” he said.  “And a sign of how important Madonna is to the community, the archdiocese, and really the whole country.” 

He hoped the chairs would continue Madonna’s excellent academic and spiritual success. 

“We’ve got some wonderful, wonderful teachers and students here.  What I like about Madonna is that it’s a family. It’s a wonderful family where people get to know each other, love each other, and love God.  Somehow the love and peace God gives to each and every one of us, we can share that and gives us the spark by which we live and I am proud of Madonna.  It’s a beacon, a superb university, and a wonderful place to be.”

Livonia Police Chief Robert Stevenson, Madonna graduate and adjunct professor, agrees that Madonna is an inspiration to the city.  “When you think about education in Livonia, Madonna is what comes to the forefront,” he said. 

“Madonna has an excellent academic reputation and has always been very, very active in the community. People are willing to invest in success, and this shows that people believe Madonna will build upon that success in various and important ways.”

By inviting business, community, and international leaders to the dinner, the university hoped to entertain as well as entice more people to support the school. 

“Many of the people here were very familiar with Madonna, but not everyone was,” said Lucy McAuliffe-Thomas, member of the foundation board and Madonna alumna. 

“Part of our purpose tonight was to keep people up to pace with what’s going on at Madonna for the people who are familiar, but also bring in some people from the business community or individuals who might be able to help the university move forward with some of their projects.  And I think they’re going to be able to do that with what they’ve done tonight.  They’ve done a tremendous job and I am really proud to be a part of it.”

Her husband, David Thomas, was impressed by the elegance of the event and believes the dinner will help gain more university supporters.

“I go to a lot of events like this for work, and this was right on par with everything I’ve ever seen.  The entertainment was great, the food was great, and the four vintages of wine and champagne—no one does that! 

“It was excellent and people will definitely remember Madonna not only as an academic and spiritual leader, but as an institution that appreciates its supporters and knows how to show its appreciation. ” 

Sara Simnitch, BCA major, was one of a select few students asked to attend the event. 

“I feel completely honored to be an athlete and student of the university, and to see how the school is respected across the country and the world. 

“There are a lot of Catholic schools, but they don’t get nearly the same support and recognition that we do, and it is awesome to see how well-supported Madonna is and to be invited to attend an event like this.”