Ball Gowns, Birthdays, Bocelli! Italian-Chic Soiree Raises Nearly $2M for UST Scholarships

Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, Annie Graham, Rev. Dempsey Rosales-Acosta, Bob Graham

THE UNIVERSITY OF St. Thomas welcomed more than 900 black-tie-clad revelers to its annual Scholarship Gala, held in the ballroom of the Hilton Americas hotel Downtown. The event simultaneously toasted the 75th birthday of Cardinal DiNardo, the metropolitan archbishop of Galveston-Houston.

In attendance were a number of current and former UST students, who took time to share their experience at the university and how much scholarships have meant to them. It was revealed that proceeds from the live auction as well as the paddles-up segment would be put towards establishing an annual scholarship in the name of Cardinal DiNardo.

The celebratory affair took on an Italian theme, from the delicious dinner to the evening's entertainment, Matteo Bocelli, who wandered throughout the ballroom dancing with lucky partygoers. Live-auction packages tipped their hat to the theme, too, as in a private dinner with His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Dr. Richard and Melynda Ludwick in the private Positano Room at Amalfi restaurant.

The festive fete concluded with a dessert parade, which featured a sparkler-topped cake for the birthday boy and mini cakes for all the guests.

Cynthia and Tony Petrello

Denise Castillo-Rhodes, Robert Sergesketter, Paula Hanson

Dr. Richard Ludwick, Melynda Ludwick

UST student Christel Vallagomesa

Honorary Chairs Bishop Italo Dell'Oro, CRS and Raye G. White, Honoree His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Event Chairs Ginger and John Niemann

Isabel and Ignacio "Nacho" Torras

Matteo Bocelli

Megan Jarchow, Craig Jarchow, Angela Jarchow

Lois Davis, Father Charles Hough

Lois and Richard Folger

From Your Site Articles

Pelican Builders Welcome Residents To First New Upper Kirby Condo Offering In Years; Boutique Midrise Adds To Pedestrian Appeal Of Sought-After, Inner Loop Neighborhood

WITH ITS INAUGURAL set of residents newly moved in, Pelican Builders’ mid-rise condominium Westmore at 2323 W Main Street in Upper Kirby is already seeing the blossoming of a tight-knit community. Designed by Houston-based Mirador Group the Westmore is the first new condominium product to be introduced to the in-demand, inner loop neighborhood in more than three years. And with remaining two-bedroom homes starting at $895,000, it’s a remarkable value for this increasingly pricey area, where condos can easily climb to several million dollars and more.

Keep Reading Show less

Home + Real Estate

Ball Gowns, Birthdays, Bocelli! Italian-Chic Soiree Raises Nearly $2M for UST Scholarships

Pelican Builders Welcome Residents To First New Upper Kirby Condo Offering In Years; Boutique Midrise Adds To Pedestrian Appeal Of Sought-After, Inner Loop Neighborhood

After a Tough Year for Strays, Country Star Headlines September Gala Benefiting Houston's Homeless Animals

Massive Coffeeshop Expansion Plans, Mediterranean Go-To's New Location, and More of This Week's Food News!

Hungry's

Common Bond

Coffee Fellows

State of Grace

Galveston Island Wine Festival

Despite Last-Minute Venue Change, Fertitta’s ‘True Blue’ Gala Smashes Fundraising Records

Houston Charity, Guitars for Vets Collaborate to Offer Celeb-Autographed Instruments for a Cause

Astros McCullers, Altuve and Tucker Host Bash to Raise Bucks for Kids, Pets and Other Causes

Let's Hear It for the 'Girls!' Astros' Wives Throw a Fash Bash for Charity

'Boo Ball' Bash! Night Owls and Ghoul-friends Pull Out Tricks, Treats and $800K for Ronald McDonald House

Jet-Setters Unite for Euro-Savvy Soiree Benefiting Lone Star Flight Museum